Updates: Tyler Robinson charged in Charlie Kirk killing

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For more on the charges against the alleged Kirk shooter, Robinson, read our story here.

This live page will soon be closed. Here were today’s top events:

• Charlie Kirk’s alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, made his first court appearance after being formally charged.
• Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, pointing to the fact that Robinson allegedly targeted Kirk for his political beliefs and committed the killing in the presence of children.
• FBI director Kash Patel was grilled during a Senate committee hearing amid allegations that he is politicising the department.
• Trump has begun a state visit to the UK, where trade talks are set to loom large.

Influential right-wing figures have been publicly identifying individuals they say have posted insensitive or celebratory statements surrounding Kirk’s killing.

Some of those fired say they simply posted factual information or subdued political musings.

Watch our report below:

Trump has signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of a 2024 law that requires the divestiture of Chinese ownership of TikTok until December 16.

The delay will give the Chinese-based ByteDance another 90 days to finalise an agreement to transfer TikTok’s US assets to US owners.

The executive order came shortly after Trump claimed a deal had been reached that would involve “a group of very big companies” buying the social media platform.

During the brief proceedings, Judge Graf also approved a “protective order” for Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow.

The order prohibits Robinson, who remains in jail, from contacting Kirk in any way.

Erika Kirk made her first public statement last week, pledging to continue her husband’s mission.

“You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife,” she said.

“The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”

The 22-year-old charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk is scheduled to appear on camera for a virtual court hearing in five minutes.

However, AP reported that no attorney was listed in the Utah online court docket for Robinson, even after charges were filed, and his family has declined to comment.

Stay with us for more updates.

In a post on X, the New College of Florida, part of the state’s public university system, said it “will commission a statue of Charlie Kirk to honor his legacy and incredible work after his tragic assassination last week”.

“The statue, privately funded by community leaders, will stand on campus as a commitment by New College to defend and fight for free speech and civil discourse in American life. The location for the statue will be announced in the coming months,” it added.

Supporters have hailed Kirk – who regularly held open college campus debates – as a champion of free speech and discourse. Critics have pointed out a more complicated legacy, which included efforts by the group he founded, Turning Point USA, to create a “watch list” of professors deemed to be advancing “leftist propaganda”.

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen has discussed strengthening efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia during a phone call with US President Donald Trump.

Von der Leyen revealed the call in a post on X, adding that the commission will propose speeding up the phase-out of Russian fossil fuel imports.

Trump has repeatedly called on Europe to stop buying Russian fuel, but the prospect remains complicated for several reasons, including energy demands and infrastructure constraints. The appeal comes as the US president has failed to reach a breakthrough to end the fighting in Ukraine, despite hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month.

“Russia’s war economy, sustained by revenues from fossil fuels, is financing the bloodshed in Ukraine,” von der Leyen said.

US President Trump faced four criminal indictments after leaving office following his first term.

While Trump was convicted in one case – for falsifying business records to conceal payments made to an adult actress – his 2024 election has seen most of his other legal woes evaporate.

Two federal cases against Trump, one for allegedly hiding and hoarding classified documents and one related to efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, have since been wound down.

Today, the fourth case against Trump was also dealt a blow. The Georgia Supreme court declined to intervene after a court ruled last year that Fulton County Prosecutor Fani Willis must be disqualified from the case, which accused Trump and his allies of criminal rackateering in their efforts to overturn the election results in the state.

Trump hailed the decision as a “Big WIN for Justice and Law in Georgia”. However, it remained unclear if today’s ruling would actually mean the end of the case.

Here are the latest updates:

• Authorities say they will seek the death penalty for accused Kirk shooter Robinson, after charging him with aggravated murder.
• FBI director Kash Patel has wrapped a Senate committee hearing, where he was grilled on billionaire Epstein, alleged politicalisation of the department and concerns over his fitness to lead the agency.
• Several Republicans used the committee to push claims that Kirk’s shooting was the product of a coordinated, left-wing system. Civil liberties groups have warned the narrative – which has also being pushed by the White House – could lead to a crackdown on liberal organisations.
• Trump swore in appointee Stephen Miran as Fed governor as the board kicked off a crucial meeting on interest rates.

A small group of people have gathered to protest against US President Donald Trump’s state visit in Windsor, England.

The group walked towards Peascod Street, chanting “Say it loud, say it clear: ‘Donald Trump’s not welcome here’.”

One protester held a sign that said “hate never made any nation great” while another held a sign with a picture of Trump with a red line through it, which read: “Traitor, hater, would-be dictator. #Impeach 45”.

Locals tried to go about their business as usual, as the world’s media erected encampments in the shadow of the castle and mounted officers on horseback rode through the cobbled streets.

Joe, from nearby Egham, who declined to give his surname, is “not a fan at all” of Trump.

“He spreads hate and division everywhere he goes,” he told AFP.

Joe said he was delighted to hear protests were planned in Windsor and London.

“Good on them! Let him know he’s not wanted … He’s got quite a thin skin – let’s hope he finds out about it.”

The United Kingdom is set to roll out the red carpet for Donald Trump this week, honouring the president of the United States with something no other US leader has ever received: a second state visit.

Trump is set to arrive in London later today for a visit that coincides with tough trade negotiations between the US and many of its key trading partners, including the United Kingdom. During his stay, both countries plan to announce several deals on technology and civil nuclear energy, and British leaders hope to finalise an agreement on metal tariffs.

Trump and his wife, Melania, will be treated to royal pageantry throughout their two-day stay, including a ceremonial welcome from King Charles at Windsor Castle. The British government is confident that royal soft power will appeal to Trump’s sense of flamboyance.

Trump’s visit will be the first at which UK and US F-35 fighter jets join up for a flyover, as the US president is treated to a military ceremonial described by the Government as unprecedented in its scale and spectacle.

Before setting off, Trump said he was looking forward to meeting with his friend, King Charles III, whom he described as an “elegant gentleman”.

Read more about the visit, here.

• Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said that alleged shooter Robinson had been charged with seven offences, including aggravated murder and felony discharge of a weapon. He said he would seek the death penalty.
• Gray focused not just on the killing of Kirk, but on the danger posed to other attendees at the event, particularly children.
• Utah Valley University surveillance captured the alleged gunman entering campus, and walking with an “unusual gate … consistent with a rifle being hidden in his pants”. Dressed in dark clothes, the individual is seen accessing a roof and later fleeing after the shots were fired.
• Robinson’s mother later saw a picture of the suspect and called her son. His father later convinced Robinson to meet them and speak with a family friend who was a retired deputy sheriff. They eventually convinced him to turn himself in.
• Robinson messaged his romantic partner after the attack, appearing to admit to the killing and saying he “had enough of his [Kirk’s] hatred”.
• Police again described the engravings on the bullets recovered, but offered few further details. In a message to his romantic partner, Robinson described the messages as “big meme”.
• Robinson’s family described the alleged shooter as becoming increasingly political, and clashing with his father and others over their views.

Utah District Attorney Gray has laid out the next steps in the case:

• Robinson will appear in court today via web camera to be informed of charges and to ensure he has an attorney.
• He will then be “entitled to a preliminary hearing”, and “at that hearing, the state will be required to show probable cause the defendant committed the crimes”.
• If a judge finds probable cause to proceed with the trial, an arraignment hearing will be held.
• At the arraignment hearing, Robinson will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty for each charge.
• Both sides will then file any relevant motions ahead of the trial beginning.