Today in Focus The US on the edge after Charlie Kirk’s killing
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Sep 17, 2025 
Ed Pilkington, Chief reporter for The Guardian US, offers an incisive look into the shocking assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. He discusses the chaotic fallout and escalating political violence gripping the nation. The conversation dives into the implications for conservative rhetoric and society's polarization. Pilkington highlights fears over declining trust in institutions and the troubling legacy Kirk leaves behind, fueling intense debates on free speech and censorship in today's America.
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Death Used As Political Rallying Point
- The killing of Charlie Kirk rapidly became a political rallying point rather than just mourning.
- The Trump administration and allies immediately framed it as evidence of a leftist threat and a call to action.
Shooting At Campus Event And Arrest
- Kirk was shot while answering a question about mass shootings at a university event and slumped to the side.
- The suspect allegedly confessed to his father and later surrendered at a sheriff's office after family intervention.
Suspect's Background Suggests Mixed Motives
- The charging document links suspect Tyler Robinson's reported political shift and personal relationships to motive claims.
- Authorities caution motives are often mixed and complex, not neatly left-or-right.