President Donald Trump demanded on Friday that the death penalty be applied both to the alleged murderer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed on a university campus in Utah, and to the perpetrator of the brutal crime against Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August.
"In Utah, they have the death penalty, and you have a very good governor there; I have come to know him, and he is very committed to the death penalty in this case, and he should be. North Carolina also has it, but we need to ensure that it happens. That was a horrible crime," he stated in an interview on Fox News.
Trump stated that the alleged perpetrator of the crime against Kirk is already in custody: "I believe that, with a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody."
The leader described the moment he received the news of the assassination: "They said, 'Charlie Kirk is dead.' I didn't understand what they meant. I asked, 'What do you mean by dead?' 'Charlie Kirk was shot...' I simply told them, 'Get out. Leave.'"
Trump highlighted his family's personal relationship with the activist and founder of Turning Point USA and recalled a meeting he arranged for his son Barron to meet him: "He came back and said, 'That guy is awesome, Dad!'"
Kirk, 31 years old, died after being shot in the neck, fired from a nearby building while attending a university event. He was married and had two young children.
The president blamed the "radical left" for the crime, and stated that Kirk Charlie is "a martyr of truth and freedom."
According to local media, the murderer is Tyler Robinson, 22 years old, who is said to have been arrested after a religious pastor convinced his father to turn him in to the authorities.
The FBI had offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the capture of the killer.
Trump recalled that Utah has the death penalty and urged the local governor to apply it in this case. "That was a horrible crime," he stated.
The case of the Ukrainian refugee
Trump also expressed his desire for justice to be served for Decarlos Brown, accused of murdering the young Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, 23, on a train in Charlotte.
"The ANIMAL that violently killed the beautiful young woman from Ukraine, who came to the United States seeking peace and security, must receive a swift trial and be sentenced SOLELY to the death penalty. There can be no other option!" wrote the president.
Zarutska was working at a local pizzeria and that night was riding the Blue Line train when Brown, who had a history of convictions for armed robbery and breaking and entering, stabbed her in the neck without warning.
The young woman bled to death in the train car in front of the powerless gaze of several passengers, some of whom tried to help her.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the death penalty is "on the table."
The Department of Justice filed federal charges against Brown that could result in life imprisonment or the death penalty, in addition to facing a state charge of first-degree murder in North Carolina.
Trump: "We have to be ruthless."
In previous statements from the White House, Trump urged his administration to toughen the response against crime: "We have to be ruthless like they are. That's the only thing they understand."
At the end of August, it was announced that his administration will propose the death penalty for anyone who commits murder in Washington D.C..
The announcement is part of a broader strategy to confront what he describes as "overwhelming crime" in the capital city.
During his speech, he was emphatic: "If someone murders someone in the capital, death penalty."
Both the murder of Charlie Kirk and that of Iryna Zarutska have caused shock across the country, not only due to the brutality of the events but also because of the increasing political pressure to reinstate executions in states where the death penalty exists but has not been applied for years.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's Position on the Death Penalty and the Cases of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska
Why does Donald Trump call for the death penalty for the killers of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska?
Donald Trump believes that both crimes are horrific and deserve the maximum possible punishment. In Charlie Kirk's case, Trump connects the murder to the "radical left" and emphasizes the need for swift and severe justice. Regarding Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, Trump underscores the brutality and injustice of her death, calling for a speedy trial and the death penalty for the perpetrator of the crime.
What has Trump said about the responsibility of the "radical left" in the assassination of Charlie Kirk?
Trump blames the "radical left" for creating a climate of hatred that, according to him, led to the murder of Charlie Kirk. He claims that the left's rhetoric is directly responsible for this kind of political terrorism. In several statements, he has emphasized that this type of violence must end and that his administration will pursue those responsible.
What is the legal status of the suspects in the cases of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska?
In the case of Charlie Kirk, the suspect Tyler Robinson is in custody, while in the case of Iryna Zarutska, Decarlos Brown faces federal charges that could result in life imprisonment or the death penalty. Both cases have generated significant shock and political pressure to enforce the death penalty in the involved states.
What has been the public and political reaction to the murders of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska?
The murders have sparked a wave of reactions and debates in the United States. Politicians from both parties have condemned the crimes, while the academic community has questioned the security failures at the Kirk event. On social media, there is a debate between those who see Kirk and Zarutska as victims of a climate of violence and those who criticize the policies related to gun ownership.
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