Tuesday morning news: September 16, 2025

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Trump says U.S. hit another Venezuelan drug boat » President Trump says the U.S. military again targeted a boat running drugs from Venezuela, killing three aboard the vessel.

The president told White House reporters last night that there was zero doubt about what the boat was carrying.

TRUMP:  We have proof. All you have to do is look at the cargo that was like, it spattered all over the ocean. Big bags of cocaine and fentanyl all over the place. And, uh, it was, plus we have, uh, recorded evidence that they were leaving.

The strike comes two weeks after another military strike on what the administration says was a drug-carrying speedboat from Venezuela that killed 11.

In the past the U.S. military or Coast Guard might have boarded such boats and detained drug-runners. But with cartels and violent gangs now designated as terrorist groups by the White House, the rules have changed.

TRUMP:   You know when the first one we went, there were hundreds of boats. Now there are no boats. I wonder why … meaning no drugs are coming across.

The U.S. military’s mission in the Caribbean is to disrupt drug-running out of Venezuela.

Israel-Qatar latest » The president, speaking to reporters last night, also addressed the diplomatic firestorm over Israel’s recent airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar.

Trump reportedly spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about that strike.

REPORTER:  You said that you don't want to see, uh, Qatar hit again. Do you, um — are there any guarantees that, uh …

TRUMP: Well he won’t be hitting in Qatar.

That comes after Netanyahu said Israel will strike Hamas leaders “wherever they are.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday said there are only two ways for Israel’s war with Hamas to end.

RUBIO:  Every single hostage is released, all 48, including those that are deceased. Hamas no longer exists as an armed group that's threatening Israel. If it's not gonna end that way, then it's gonna have to end through the military operation.

Rubio is meeting with leaders in Qatar today, working to smooth things over the US ally.

His visit comes on the heels of a stop in Israel to reaffirm U.S. support for the Jewish state, though not for last week’s airstrike in Doha.

Leaders in Qatar slammed that Israeli strike, calling it an attack on Qatar’s sovereignty.

Kirk shooter » FBI Director Kash Patel says evidence is mounting against the man suspected of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

PATEL:  The DNA hits from the towel that was wrapped around the firearm and the DNA on the screwdriver are positively processed for the suspect in custody.

That screwdriver was recovered from the rooftop where the fatal shot was fired..

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox over the weekend said that Robinson was not cooperating with investigators.

Authorities in Utah are preparing to file murder charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as early as tomorrow.

Kash Patel also added:

PATEL:  He, uh, had a text message exchange. He the suspect with another individual in which he claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and he was going to do it because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for.

It’s unclear if the person the suspect texted in that exchange will also face charges.

Law enforcement is investigating to determine if others connected the accused shooter committed any crimes.

Kirk memorial, vigil » Meantime, thousands across the country are paying tribute to Charlie Kirk and what he stood for.

On Capitol Hill, Speaker Mike Johnson led a prayer vigil in Statuary Hall.

JOHNSON:  Principles that Charlie stood for were faith and freedom and family and virtue and patriotism.

And in Phoenix, Arizona, many have been paying their respects outside the headquarters of Turning Point USA, an organization Kirk founded in 2012 when he was just 18 years old.

AUDIO: He created all of this from scratch. And he was passionate about his movement and what he believed in, he was passionate about it.

[cross-fade]

AUDIO:  I don't want what Charlie died for to die with him. I want it to be carried by the people that have come here in droves to say we've had enough.

A vigil was also held last night on the campus of Arizona State University.

And on Sunday, State Farm Stadium in Phoenix will host a public memorial service for Kirk. President Trump is expected to be among the speakers.

Tiktok possible sale » The popular social media platform TikTok could soon have new, American, owners within the United States. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday:

BESSENT:  We do have a framework, uh, for a deal with TikTok.

Lawmakers last year, citing national security concerns, passed a law giving TikTok’s Chinese parent company an ultimatum:

Sell its U.S. operations to a new owner that is not under the thumb of the Chinese Communist Party or any other U.S. adversary, or face a nationwide ban.

And Sec. Bessent said the framework does involve U.S.-controlled ownership.

BESSENT:   President Trump and party Chair, she, uh, will speak on Friday to complete the deal. We have a framework. They'll have to confirm the deal.

The deadline for the sale was actually back in January of this year, but President Trump has provided several waivers to keep the app operational until a deal could be struck.

China’s international trade representative also told reporters that the sides have reached “basic framework consensus."

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Russian drones and the NATO response. Plus, holding tech-giant Apple accountable for what’s available to minors in the App Store. 

This is The World and Everything in It.

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