Monday morning news: September 15, 2025

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Charlie Kirk suspect, rhetoric » The man suspected of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk is not cooperating with authorities. But those who know him are providing information to investigators, among them, the suspect’s romantic partner.

That according to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who told NBC’s Meet the Press:

COX:  We do know that, uh, that the, the roommate that we had originally talked about, we can confirm that that roommate is, uh, is uh, a, a boyfriend who is transitioning from male to female. So we know that piece.

He stressed that the roommate knew nothing about the attack and was shocked by the news.

Cox said they also know that the 22-year-old suspect is on the left, politically.

Meantime, many GOP leaders are calling for accountability for those publicly celebrating Kirk’s assassination. Sen. Katie Britt:

BRITT:  If you are out there and you are celebrating the political assassination of a man who is exercising his free speech you should be held accountable. You should be fired, and that is the beginning and the end of it. Full stop.

And some have faced consequences for remarks their employers found unacceptable. Among them, Matthew Dowd, the now former MSNBC political analyst, fired for remarks surrounding the assassination.

Romania Russian drones » Romania is the latest country to report a Russian drone in its airspace.

Officials say the Romanian military scrambled F-16 jets as a Russian drone was tracked over southeastern Romania for nearly an hour before exiting. Fighter pilots had permission to shoot it down, but they held their fire over fears of potential damage or injuries on the ground.

The incident comes amid a wave of similar airspace intrusions into NATO countries. And NATO’s top general Alexus Grynkewich said over the weekend that efforts are underway to bolster NATO’s defenses on its eastern flank.

GRYNKEWICH:  It will take some time, uh, for us to bring everything together with the new contributions that have been coming in, and we'll continue to work on this and refine, uh, the design of the operation moving forward.

NATO is calling the mission to beef up defenses Eastern Sentry. Leaders say it will mark a permanent upgrade.

McCaul to leave Congress » Republican Congressman Michael McCaul says he worries that Russia's escalations in eastern Europe could lead to World War III. He talked about recent drone incursions into Poland’s airspace in an interview with ABC’s This Week.

MCCAUL:  I think, uh, Putin is testing the resolve of nato. Uh, he wants to see how NATO reacts, how Poland reacts. Uh, the good news is Poland had a great response. They shot ‘em down.

The longtime GOP hawk also announced he'd retire from Congress at the end of his term next year. McCaul is one of his party's strongest voices on national defense. He is a former chairman of Homeland Security and Foreign Relations Committees.

Rubio in Middle East » Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Israel today wrapping up a two-day trip.

President Trump dispatched Rubio to Jerusalem, to signal ironclad support for Israel. That comes in the wake of surprise airstrikes targeting Hamas officials in Qatar's Capital, Doha last week that sparked a furious backlash from U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to reporters alongside Rubio.

NETANYAHU:  Marco Rubio and his wife, uh, Janet. Uh, I think his visit here is a testament to the durability, the strength of the, uh, Israeli American Alliance. It's as strong and as durable as the stones of the Western Wall that we just touched.

Visiting the Western Wall, Rubio and Netanyahu prayed together, then toured recently excavated historic tunnel space just beneath. A State Department official called it a tradition that began in the first Trump administration, reaffirming America's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's eternal capital.

Rubio’s visit is a show of support for Israel, but not Israel’s strike in Qatar. President Trump said he was “very unhappy” about the operation.

MUSIC: [Monkeys theme song]

Bobby Hart obituary » Bobby Hart, who co-wrote some of the Monkees' biggest hits, has died. He was 86.

Along with Tommy Bryce, he was a key part of the Monkees' multimedia empire.

They wrote the Monkees' theme song and the hits "Last Train to Clarksville" and "I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone."

Hart also helped write tunes such as “Hurt So Bad,” for Little Anthony and the Imperials.

I'm Kent Covington.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett is working to demystify the Supreme Court. Plus, the Monday Moneybeat.

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