Start Here WH Officials: Time to “Go After” Left-Wing Radicals
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Sep 16, 2025 Jonathan Karl, ABC's chief Washington correspondent, shares insights on the White House's controversial stance following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, igniting fierce debates on free speech and political violence. Patrick Rievel, ABC's foreign correspondent, reports from Minsk on Russian military drills with Belarus, raising alarms about geopolitical tensions. The duo discusses President Trump's military strike against a drug-laden Venezuelan boat, exploring the implications for national security amidst a polarized political climate.
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White House Links Assassination To 'Radical Left'
- Vice President J.D. Vance and senior officials publicly linked Charlie Kirk's assassination to a broader "radical left" movement without naming groups or providing evidence.
- They proposed a government-wide effort to "uproot and dismantle" these networks, leaving unclear legal boundaries for targeting political speech.
'Radical Left' Definition Is Vague
- ABC's Jonathan Karl highlighted the vagueness around what counts as "radical left," noting Antifa is an ideology rather than an organized group.
- He warned the administration's stance could blur disagreement with targeted action if definitions remain undefined.
Differentiate Threats From Criticism
- Call out and condemn celebrations of political violence while avoiding conflating criticism with endorsement of murder.
- Distinguish genuine threats from mere negative opinion to prevent overreach in accountability efforts.