Charlie Kirk Murder Case: Judge Delays Preliminary Hearing as Defense Reviews Evidence

September 29, 2025

The Utah County court has delayed setting a preliminary hearing in the case of Tyler James Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating conservative leader Charlie Kirk earlier this month. Robinson’s attorney, Kathryn Nester, told Judge Tony Graf on Monday that the defense needs more time to review a massive trove of evidence.

Robinson, charged with seven counts—including aggravated murder, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice—appeared virtually from the Utah County Jail, where he remains held without bail. He did not speak during the hearing. Nester explained that “the voluminous nature of discovery” requires additional preparation before a hearing date can be set.

Discovery, the legal process of sharing evidence between prosecution and defense, is expected to be extensive. Prosecutors have turned over large amounts of digital evidence, and Nester indicated thousands of pages remain to be reviewed. “Until we can get our heads around that, it is going to be difficult for us to know when we will be ready to do the prelim,” she told the court.

Judge Graf scheduled another waiver hearing for October 30 at 10 a.m. MST. Both sides agreed to the delay, acknowledging the complexity of a case involving the high-profile killing of a national conservative figure before a crowd of nearly 3,000 at Utah Valley University.

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray has already filed notice that he intends to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. Prosecutors expect to call a large number of witnesses due to the public nature of the crime.

Judge Graf reminded both the defense and prosecution that the court will safeguard the rights of both the accused and the victims as proceedings continue.

Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, lived in Scottsdale, Arizona, where his organization remains headquartered. His assassination has sparked nationwide mourning and renewed calls for greater security around conservative events.

Democrats Forcing Government Shutdown Over Clean CR

September 29, 2025

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that Democrats have no justification for blocking a clean continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded. Speaking on Fox News, Leavitt stressed that President Donald Trump is only asking for a commonsense extension at current spending levels.

“All we are asking for is a common sense, clean funding resolution — a continuing resolution to keep the government open,” Leavitt explained. The proposal, she noted, would simply extend spending at today’s levels, adjusted for inflation. “There is zero good reason for the Democrats to vote against this, especially when the Democrats have voted for this 13 previous times, as recently as March.”

The press secretary said Trump invited Democrat leaders to the White House for one last attempt at compromise. “Now is not the time to try to get political points against Donald Trump,” she warned, calling on Democrats to “do right by the American people and keep the government funded.”

Leavitt emphasized that vulnerable Americans will be the first to feel the impact of a shutdown, something the administration is working to prevent. “Everybody knows this, and that’s why Republicans and the President want to keep the government open,” she said.

Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) echoed the White House message during an interview on Breitbart News Daily. Johnson accused Democrats of holding government funding hostage to demand COVID-era benefits that are no longer justified.

“They want us to extend COVID-era enhanced premium tax credits … some people making 400 percent, 500 percent, 600 percent of poverty,” Johnson explained. “COVID has been gone for five years. … The Democrats are saying, we are going to ransom a six-week short term funding package … unless we continue the COVID-era giveaways. It’s insanity.”

Johnson concluded that the shutdown crisis is “manufactured by Chuck Schumer,” underscoring Republican claims that Democrats are prioritizing politics over stability.

Democrats Push Shutdown, Hand Trump More Power

September 29, 2025

trump (17) — (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Congressional Democrats are steering the government toward a shutdown after blocking a short-term spending bill that would have extended current funding levels originally set under Joe Biden. Despite the measure’s bipartisan nature, Democratic leaders appear unwilling to accept a clean continuing resolution (CR), choosing instead to demand policy concessions with little chance of success.

The House passed the CR on September 19 to keep the government funded through November 21. That bill, which maintained Biden-era spending levels, was rejected in the Senate just hours later. Only Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) crossed party lines to support it. Republicans Rand Paul (KY) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) opposed.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) intends to bring the bill back up for a vote Tuesday, offering Democrats another opportunity to prevent a shutdown. But with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) resisting, chances remain slim.

Democrats are pressing to use the short-term bill to extend Obamacare subsidies—set to expire in late 2025—and undo provisions of President Trump’s Medicaid reforms, including restrictions on illegal aliens receiving benefits. Republicans argue such major changes require full debate and do not belong in a temporary measure.

If the shutdown goes forward, it will give the Trump White House expanded authority to cut spending across the executive branch. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought has already signaled his willingness to implement permanent reductions in force, targeting federal programs long favored by Democrats.

Shutting down the government also risks undermining bipartisan negotiations already underway on a longer-term deal. By rejecting the CR, Democrats may end up stuck with extended Biden-era spending levels and further rescissions by OMB through September 2026.

Facing pressure from a radical base—including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has hinted at challenging Schumer—Democratic leaders appear to be betting on short-term political cover at the expense of long-term influence.

Trump Presses Netanyahu to Apologize to Qatar, Hamas Strike

September 29, 2025

President Donald Trump pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to issue a rare apology to Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani following last month’s Israeli airstrike in Doha that targeted Hamas operatives. The move, made during a joint call at the White House, signals that a broader diplomatic deal—possibly tied to ending the war in Gaza—may be in the works.

Israel carried out the September 9 strike after Hamas claimed responsibility for additional terror attacks inside Israel. While the intended targets were senior Hamas leaders living in luxury exile in Doha, the strike killed several lower-level operatives along with a Qatari security guard. The incident prompted swift anger from Qatar, which has long hosted Hamas leadership under claims of political asylum.

According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu spoke with Al Thani for several minutes, with President Trump participating in the call. A foreign diplomat confirmed to the outlet that Netanyahu apologized for the deaths caused by the strike.

The unusual step underscores the complexity of Middle East diplomacy. Israel almost never apologizes for counterterror operations, particularly when Hamas leaders are involved, but such concessions are sometimes made to secure broader strategic gains. Analysts note that Qatar may have received advance warning of the strike, possibly tipping off senior Hamas officials who escaped unharmed.

The apology recalls a similar episode in 2013, when President Barack Obama pressured Netanyahu to apologize to Turkey over the deadly Mavi Marmara incident involving pro-Hamas activists. That move temporarily improved relations but ultimately did not resolve long-term tensions.

For now, Israel’s apology to Qatar suggests U.S. efforts to leverage diplomacy may be laying groundwork for a negotiated end to the Gaza conflict, while still keeping pressure on Hamas’s overseas leadership.

Computer Science Job Market Collapses as AI Reshapes Industry

September 29, 2025

AI-Artificial-Intelligence-Just_SuperGetty-via-Canva-Pro — AI, Artificial Intelligence (Just_Super/Getty via Canva Pro)

The computer science field, once seen as a guaranteed path to high-paying jobs, is undergoing a sharp downturn that is leaving even top graduates from elite universities struggling to find work. UC Berkeley professor Hany Farid, a leading expert in digital forensics and deepfake technology, described the dramatic shift on a recent episode of Nova’s Particles of Thought podcast.

Farid noted that only four years ago, computer science was considered “future-proof.” Graduates often secured multiple internships and had their pick of lucrative offers upon graduation. “Our students typically had five internship offers throughout their first four years of college,” Farid said. “They would graduate with exceedingly high salaries, multiple offers. They had the run of the place. That is not happening today. They’re happy to get one job offer.”

He pointed to artificial intelligence and the rise of so-called “vibecoding”—non-programmers using AI to write code—as factors that are reshaping the industry. Yet, he suggested the downturn is broader than technology alone, calling it a “confluence of many things” thinning out opportunities across the field.

This shift has led Farid to alter the advice he gives students. Previously, he encouraged them to pursue broad education while specializing deeply in one area. Now, he stresses adaptability. “I think I’m telling people to be good at a lot of different things because we don’t know what the future holds,” he said.

Farid believes AI will reward those who learn to use it effectively. “I don’t think AI is going to put lawyers out of business, but I think lawyers who use AI will put those who don’t use AI out of business,” he explained.

However, AI’s pitfalls are evident. In a case reported by Breitbart News, Morgan & Morgan attorney Rudwin Ayala cited eight non-existent, AI-generated cases in a lawsuit against Walmart. The blunder forced the firm to issue an apology, pay fees, and warn attorneys against unverified AI use.

Labor Department to Halt Jobs Report, Inflation Data if Government Shuts Down

September 29, 2025

The U.S. Labor Department announced Friday that it will suspend publication of key economic reports—including the monthly jobs report, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and the Producer Price Index (PPI)—if Congress fails to avoid a government shutdown. The move would deprive businesses, investors, and policymakers of critical data used to gauge the economy.

According to the department’s contingency plan, nearly all Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employees would be furloughed. That means the September jobs report, scheduled for release this coming Friday, would not be published. In addition, October’s CPI and PPI reports—both essential for tracking inflation—would be delayed if the shutdown continues.

The timing could complicate decision-making for the Federal Reserve, which holds its next policy meeting at the end of October. Without the government’s most authoritative data on hiring, wages, and prices, Fed officials would be forced to consider interest rate changes with limited insight into the economy.

The Labor Department employs about 12,900 workers. Under the shutdown plan, roughly 3,100 would remain on duty, mostly in roles tied to life and property protection or funded outside annual appropriations. The plan specifies that “all program operations” at the BLS would be suspended.

Other department functions would also be curtailed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would halt routine inspections, continuing only urgent investigations involving imminent threats. Unemployment benefits would remain available through state programs, while federally funded workers’ compensation programs not tied to annual appropriations would continue.

The JOLTS (Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey) report due Tuesday will still be published, but future releases would stop if the shutdown persists.

Past shutdowns have shown similar disruptions. In 2013, the September jobs report was delayed by nearly three weeks, while during the 2018–19 partial shutdown, BLS funding continued, and reports were released on schedule.

Fetterman Declares Himself an ‘Independent Voice’

September 29, 2025

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo that he is an “independent voice” among the Democratic Party.

When asked if he would switch his political affiliation, Fetterman said, “No, I’m not going to switch. But I’m just going to be an independent voice in the Democratic Party.”

“If you want a Democrat that’s going to call people Nazis or fascists or all these kinds of things, well, I’m not going to be that guy,” he said, explaining that he seeks to believe “the truth, regardless if it’s the Republican or the Democratic voice.”

Fetterman previously criticized members of the Democratic Party for promoting socialist policies.

“I literally was in a former communist nation. And I asked that — I said, ‘Some people in my party, some of the lefties are talking about socialism now. What do you think?’” he said, discussing his trip to Croatia. “He’s like, ‘That’s the worst thing ever – you’re going to need a reality check if you ever adopt any of those things.’ The senator expressed the Croatian reaction to the socialist push: “You are morons.”

Fetterman has also pushed back on efforts to recognize a Palestinian state. “There is no real leadership, except for Hamas. And it’s clear Hamas refuses to change their views,” he told Greta Van Susteren. His comments stand in contrast with many within the Democratic Party. “Can you imagine if Hamas tortured and murdered 1,200 French citizens and [was] keeping French citizens underground for two years, how much enthusiasm in France there would be now to go, ‘Hey, let’s recognize their new nation?’” Fetterman said.

Trump Proposes Gaza ‘Board of Peace’

September 29, 2025

trump netanyahu — (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

President Trump has proposed a Gaza peace board responsible for forming a new government in Gaza.

“To ensure the success of this effort, my plan calls for a new international oversight body — the Board of Peace… which will be headed, not at my request… by a gentleman known as President Donald J. Trump of the United States,” he told reporters. “It’s so important that I’m willing to do it, and we’ll do it right.”

“Working with the World Bank and others, [the board] will be responsible for recruiting and training a new government that will be made up of Palestinians along with highly qualified experts from all around the world,” Trump said, explaining that Hamas and other terror groups “will play no role in the board.”

According to a peace plan released by the White House, the Board of Peace will “set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program…and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza.”

The body will “create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.”

“I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims,” Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, told Trump. “It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities and its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel. We would not have achieved this turning point without the courage and sacrifice of our incredibly brave soldiers. They fight like lions to defend the people of Israel, and they serve on the front line in the war between civilization and barbarism.”

.@POTUS: "To ensure the success of this effort, my plan calls for a new international oversight body — the Board of Peace… which will be headed, not at my request… by a gentleman known as President Donald J. Trump of the United States." pic.twitter.com/h0nFKR3JJA
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 29, 2025

Soros Adviser Responds to Trump Claims

September 29, 2025

Michael Vachon, a senior advisor to George Soros, has denied claims made by President Trump that the Open Society Foundations (OSF) are linked to illegal activities.

The letter, obtained by Newsmax, asserted that Trump’s allegations against the entity are “100 percent false.”

“The Trump Administration has repeatedly made false claims about OSF and George Soros. Allegations that George or OSF are in any way engaged in unlawful activity or in fomenting or promoting violence are 100 percent false,” Vachon wrote. He went on to declare that all of the Foundations’ activities are “peaceful and lawful.”

A similar statement was issued last week in response to the Trump administration’s investigation into the entity’s operations. “The Open Society Foundations unequivocally condemn terrorism and do not fund terrorism. Our activities are peaceful and lawful, and our grantees are expected to abide by human rights principles and comply with the law,” the statement read, claiming that the accusations are “politically motivated attacks on civil society, meant to silence speech the administration disagrees with and undermine the First Amendment right to free speech.”

“Our work in the United States is dedicated to strengthening democracy and upholding constitutional freedoms. We stand by the work we do to improve lives in the United States and across the world,” the OSF added.

Trump told Fox & Friends earlier this month that his administration plans to investigate Soros for possible racketeering charges.

“We’re going to look into Soros,” Trump said, “because I think it’s a RICO case against him and other people. Because this is more than like protests. This is real agitation. This is riots on the street. And we’re going to look into it.”

He added that there are “professional agitators” that work for Soros-linked entities.

Switzerland Approves Digital ID

September 29, 2025

Swiss voters approved the introduction of digital identity cards on September 28.

“If you want to order or apply for something online, you may have to prove your identity. With electronic proof of identity, the so-called e-ID, it will be possible to do this completely digitally,” a Federal Council summary of the Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services (e-ID Act) explains. “The e-ID works like a digital identity card, but currently there is no e-ID in Switzerland. Voters rejected its introduction in 2021, mainly because it was going to be issued by private companies.”

“The new law creates the basis for a state-issued e-ID. People can use it to identify themselves to authorities and businesses. For example, it can be used to order an electronic driving licence or to provide proof of age when purchasing a product with age requirements,” the statement continues, noting that the digital ID is “voluntary and free of charge.”

“The new law stipulates that the federal government will issue the e-ID and operate the required technical infrastructure, thereby ensuring the best possible protection of privacy and data security. Other authorities and businesses can also use the state infrastructure to offer their own forms of electronic proof, for example confirmation of a person’s place of residence or of club membership. A referendum on the e-ID Act has been called for, which is why a vote is being held.”

The Swiss decision follows the United Kingdom’s rollout of digital IDs.

“I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. “Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure. And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly – rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.”