Up First from NPR Charlie Kirk Memorial, Trump Pressures DOJ, Palestinian State Recognition
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Sep 22, 2025 A recent memorial for Charlie Kirk turned into a political rally, with Trump labeling him a martyr. Meanwhile, Trump is pressuring the Justice Department to prosecute political foes, leading to the ousting of a dissenting U.S. attorney. In international news, several countries have recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, but many Palestinians express that without tangible change on the ground, this recognition feels hollow.
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Massive Memorial Became Political Revival
- Charlie Kirk's memorial filled an NFL stadium and blended worship, politics, and spectacle.
- President Trump and allies framed Kirk as a martyr and called for continuation of his movement.
Faith And Politics Intensified
- The event mixed Christian revival with partisan messaging, blurring religious and political lines.
- Speakers repeatedly insisted the assassination would amplify, not silence, Kirk's political influence.
President Pressures DOJ Publicly
- President Trump publicly pressured Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute named political opponents.
- He framed inaction as harming credibility and urged immediate justice by name.