"We will direct the full force of our wrath at the organized campaign that perpetrated this assassination, to uproot and dismantle these terrorist networks," White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said on a podcast hosted by Vice President JD Vance on 15/9.
Both Miller and Vance argued that the US is witnessing the rise of a "far-left extremist movement" and declared this would be a target for President Donald Trump's administration.
"We will be using every resource available to the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the entire government to identify, crush, and eradicate these networks, and make America safe again for the American people," Miller said.
The two officials did not specify what this extremist or "terrorist" movement was. Some fear this could be the beginning of a campaign targeting those who disagree with the Trump administration.
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A memorial to Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona on 10/9. Photo: AP |
A memorial to Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona on 10/9. Photo: AP
Vice President Vance praised Kirk, the conservative activist assassinated on 10/9 at Utah Valley University, as "the smartest political operative" he had ever met. "He was instrumental in getting President Trump elected and also in helping me become vice president," Vance said.
President Trump is scheduled to attend a memorial service for Kirk at a stadium in Arizona on 21/9. On 15/9, he said he was considering adding Antifa to the list of domestic terrorist organizations and would treat those who fundraise to "incite" as organized criminals.
Antifa is a term used by the right wing in the US to refer to far-left groups accused of inciting violence during protests. During his first term, Trump threatened to designate Antifa as a "domestic terrorist organization," but did not follow through.
Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA, died on 10/9 from a gunshot wound to the neck during a speech about "The Return of America".
FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, disclosed his plan to kill Kirk in text messages to friends and a handwritten letter left in his apartment before the act. Patel added that the investigation indicated Robinson held far-left views and the assassination was a "targeted act".
Robinson is facing charges of murder, aggravated assault, and obstruction of justice. He is being held at the Utah County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on 16/9.
Thanh Tam (AFP, Fox News)
