Twenty-two-year-old Tyler Robinson justified killing conservative influencer, saying hatred was beyond negotiation, as Kash Patel faces Senate scrutiny over investigation handling
FBI Director Kash Patel has revealed the chilling motive behind the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, disclosing that alleged killer Tyler Robinson, 22, justified his actions by stating “some hatred cannot be negotiated with” during interrogation by law enforcement officials.
The embattled FBI chief, who faces a Senate grilling on Tuesday over his handling of the investigation into Kirk’s death, shared the shocking details during an interview with Fox News on Monday. The revelation comes as Robinson prepares to appear in court today, where prosecutors are expected to file formal charges for the killing of the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder.
I will say what was found in terms of information, a text message exchange, where the suspect specifically stated he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was gonna do that,” Patel told Fox News, revealing details from the investigation for the first time. When questioned about his motives during interrogation, Robinson allegedly responded with the stark declaration that “some hatred cannot be negotiated with,” according to the FBI Director.
Investigation Yields Critical Evidence
The investigation into Kirk’s assassination has involved extensive collaboration between the FBI and local law enforcement agencies across Utah. According to Patel, witness interviews have revealed that Robinson “essentially admitted” to killing Kirk during the conservative commentator’s speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Forensic evidence has strengthened the case against Robinson, with Patel confirming that DNA recovered from a towel wrapped around the firearm used in the killing matched the suspect’s genetic profile. The weapon, a bolt-action rifle, was discovered in a wooded area near the university campus following an intensive search.
Despite mounting evidence, Patel tempered expectations about the pace of information release, stating he “won’t stylize the evidence” whilst assuring that “information will come out” as the investigation progresses. The careful approach reflects the high-profile nature of the case and its potential implications for political discourse in America.
Criticism Mounts Over FBI Response
Director Patel faces intense scrutiny over the FBI’s handling of the manhunt that followed Kirk’s assassination. The investigation has drawn sharp criticism from prominent conservatives, with the alleged assassin Tyler Robinson being arrested only after his father voluntarily turned him in to authorities, raising questions about the effectiveness of the initial law enforcement response.
The bureau’s investigation included three botched arrests before Robinson’s capture, which was announced approximately 44 hours after Kirk was fatally shot. The delay and confusion have prompted calls for accountability from within conservative circles, with some questioning Patel’s leadership capabilities.
Christopher Rufo, a fellow at the conservative think-tank Manhattan Institute, wrote on X on Friday that it was “time for Republicans to assess whether Kash Patel is the right man to run the FBI.” Rufo’s criticism was particularly pointed, adding that Patel “performed terribly in the last few days, and it’s not clear whether he has the operational expertise to investigate, infiltrate, and disrupt the violent movements—of whatever ideology—that threaten the peace in the United States.”
Conservative Voices Express Frustration
The criticism extended beyond think-tank intellectuals to prominent media personalities. Christian conservative radio host Erick Erickson weighed in on X, describing the “FBI situation” as “concerning,” whilst National Review writer Michael Brendan Dougherty offered a scathing assessment of law enforcement’s self-congratulation.
“So the killer’s dad does all the work, then law enforcement congratulates themselves and each other and heads out for celebratory beers,” Dougherty noted on X, questioning the narrative surrounding Robinson’s arrest. He further pressed for deeper investigation, asking: “Are they going to look into this Discord chat? The roommate? The press that can’t even quote Kirk accurately concludes the killer ‘self-radicalized’ and I’m supposed to take that at face value? That’s it?”
The Discord chat reference relates to reports that Robinson may have discussed his intentions or ideology in online forums, though details remain under investigation.
Presidential Support Amid Controversy
Despite the mounting criticism, President Donald Trump expressed full confidence in his FBI Director’s handling of the case. “I am very proud of the FBI. Kash—and everyone else— they have done a great job,” Trump told Fox News, offering crucial political backing at a critical moment.
Support for Patel wasn’t universal but did extend to some social media users. X user Pro America Politics posted in favour of the embattled director, writing: “We aren’t firing Kash Patel. Stop. The FBI arrested this killer within 48 hours. This was an excellent job. I have 100% faith in Kash Patel.”
Patel Defends Transparency Efforts
Responding to the backlash on Monday’s Fox & Friends programme, Patel mounted a robust defence of his approach to the investigation, emphasising his commitment to transparency whilst managing a complex, high-stakes investigation.
“I was telling the world what the FBI was doing as we were doing it. And I am continuing to do that,” Patel stated, addressing critics who questioned his public communications during the manhunt. He acknowledged the confusion surrounding initial arrests but defended the investigative process.
“I stated in that message that we had a ‘subject.’ And that we were going to interview him. And we did and he was released,” Patel explained, referring to individuals questioned but ultimately cleared during the investigation. “The job of the FBI is not just to manhunt the actual suspect who did the killing or suspects but it’s also to eliminate targets and eliminate subjects who are not involved in the process. That’s what we were doing.”
Whilst conceding communication could have been clearer, Patel remained unapologetic about his approach: “Could I have worded it a little better in the heat of the moment? Sure. But do I regret putting it out? Absolutely not.”
In a direct challenge to his critics, Patel declared: “I challenge anyone out there to find a director who has been more transparent and more willing to work with the media with high profile cases or any cases that the FBI is handling than we have been under my leadership.”
Questions Emerge About Patel’s Activities
Adding to the controversy, NBC News reported that whilst authorities searched for Kirk’s killer on Wednesday night, Patel dined at Rao’s, an exclusive restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Two sources familiar with his whereabouts confirmed his presence at the ritzy establishment, though it remains unclear whether Patel was at the restaurant at the time of his social media posts updating the public on the investigation.
When asked about Patel’s dinner and for a response to scrutiny surrounding his job performance, an FBI spokesperson deflected, stating: “The FBI worked with our law enforcement partners in Utah to bring to justice the individual allegedly responsible for the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk, and we will continue to be transparent with the American people with real-time updates as we are able.”
Four former senior FBI officials who spoke to NBC News characterised Patel’s posts during the investigation as premature, suggesting a more measured approach would have been appropriate given the fluid nature of the situation.
Political Implications and Senate Scrutiny
Patel’s confirmation as FBI Director was itself contentious, passing the US Senate with a narrow vote of 51 to 49 on February 20 of this year, precisely one month after Trump’s second inauguration. Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska notably opposed his nomination, signalling concerns even within the President’s own party.
The Director’s tenure has been marked by controversy beyond the Kirk investigation, most notably the agency’s refusal to release all files connected to Jeffrey Epstein, despite previous promises from both Patel and Trump to make the documents public.
Tuesday’s Senate appearance, which was scheduled before Kirk’s assassination, will now undoubtedly focus heavily on the FBI’s conduct during the search for the conservative activist’s killer. Senators are expected to press Patel on the investigation’s timeline, the multiple false arrests, and the bureau’s communication strategy during the crisis.
As Robinson prepares for his court appearance and formal charging, the case continues to reverberate through American politics, raising questions about political violence, law enforcement effectiveness, and the challenges facing those tasked with maintaining public safety in an increasingly polarised nation.
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