President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump marked 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks at a service at the Pentagon on Thursday.
While traditionally observed near the building’s memorial outside the Pentagon’s walls, it was moved to the internal courtyard following the “heartbreaking political assassination” of activist Charlie Kirk, according to a White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The 9/11 remembrances are being held during a time of increased political tensions after Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a college in Utah.
Other news we’re following today:
Charlie Kirk to posthumously receive Medal of Freedom: The conservative activist and close ally of President Trump played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters. Trump also called Kirk “a martyr for truth and freedom” and condemned the “demonizing” of political opponents in the U.S., even as he claimed the rhetoric of the “radical left” was “directly responsible” for the assassination of Kirk.Deputy Secretary of State threatens visas over negative speech: Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said he was “disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light” of Kirk’s assassination. He warned foreign visa applicants and holders that they could be denied a U.S. visa or deported for their speaking negatively about Kirk.Inflation and joblessness tick up: Inflation moved higher last month as the price of gas, groceries, hotel rooms and airfare rose, along with the cost of clothes and used cars. Consumer prices rose 2.9% in August from a year earlier, up from 2.7% the previous month. U.S. jobless claim applications jumped to their highest level in almost four years last week, the latest sign that the labor market is softening. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the week ending Sept. 6 rose to 263,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday.