Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday alleged that “left-wing radicals” were responsible for the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, even as she emphasized that the investigation remains active and prosecutors are preparing both state and federal charges against the accused gunman, Tyler Robinson.
In a televised interview, Bondi said Robinson is in custody and “charged with the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” adding that she would not discuss the involvement of “other people” while the case moves toward prosecution. Pressed on evidence, Bondi confirmed that investigators had recovered DNA linking Robinson to the shooting. “There is DNA evidence,” she said, declining to elaborate: “Now it will be a prosecution.”
Bondi did not offer a detailed motive but described the killing as “horrific” and “bone chilling,” noting that more than 2,000 people were present when Kirk was shot during a daytime appearance at Utah Valley University. She praised the joint investigation by the FBI, ATF and local police, crediting the rapid release of photographs and overnight forensic work for the swift identification of a suspect. “Everyone’s done a great job,” Bondi said, expressing “full confidence” in the FBI director overseeing the inquiry.
Her most pointed remarks, however, were political. Asked whether she agreed with claims from Republican leaders that the federal government should target “left-wing radical groups,” Bondi answered, “Absolutely,” and later asserted, “Who killed Charlie? Leftwing radicals. And they will be held accountable.” Moments earlier, she had acknowledged that recent high-profile violence has “people all over the board,” citing attacks and plots against officials across partisan lines, including the arson attempt at a governor’s residence and the killing of a Democratic legislative leader and her spouse. “Violence shouldn’t be tolerated wherever it comes from,” she said.
Bondi also said prosecutors anticipate both state and federal charges in the Kirk case and intend to seek the “maximum sentence under the law.” She noted that the death penalty “is on the table again,” crediting recent federal policy changes, while insisting the Justice Department will “always operate on the facts and the law.”
Bondy framed the aftermath as a test of national character—urging Americans to “band together” and “have a peaceful discussion about our differences,” even as she castigated online voices who appeared to celebrate Kirk’s death.
Bondi’s comments illuminated the tension that often follows political violence: investigators working through evidence and procedure on one track, elected leaders and officials assigning meaning and blame on another.
