On Friday, former President Donald Trump called for the death penalty to be enforced against the alleged murderer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed at a university campus in Utah, as well as the perpetrator behind the brutal slaying of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, this past August. "Utah has the death penalty, and you have a very good governor there, I've gotten to know him, and he's very committed to the death penalty in this case and should be," Trump stated in an interview on Fox News. "North Carolina also has it, but we need to ensure it happens. That was a horrific crime."
Trump confirmed that the suspect in Kirk's murder is already in custody: "I believe, with a high degree of certainty, we have him detained." The former president recounted how he learned about Kirk's death: "They said, 'Charlie Kirk is dead.' I didn't understand what they meant. I asked, 'What do you mean dead?' 'Charlie Kirk was shot…' I simply told them, 'Get out. Leave.'" Trump emphasized his personal connection with Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, recalling an encounter he arranged for his son Barron to meet him: "He came back and said, 'That guy is awesome, Dad!'"
The Tragic Death of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, aged 31, was fatally shot in the neck from a nearby building while attending a university event. He was married and had two young children. Trump blamed the "radical left" for the crime, calling Kirk "a martyr for truth and freedom." Local reports identified the alleged killer as Tyler Robinson, 22, who was arrested after a pastor convinced his father to turn him in to the authorities. The FBI had previously offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the suspect. Trump reiterated the need for the death penalty in Utah for this "horrible crime."
The Case of Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska
Trump also advocated for swift justice against Decarlos Brown, accused of murdering 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte train. "The ANIMAL who violently killed the beautiful young woman from Ukraine, who came to America seeking peace and safety, must face a swift trial and be sentenced ONLY to the death penalty. There can be no other choice!" Trump declared. Zarutska, employed at a local pizzeria, was traveling on the Blue Line train when Brown, with a history of armed robbery and burglary convictions, stabbed her in the neck without warning. She bled to death in the train car, despite passengers' attempts to assist her.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the death penalty remains "on the table." The Department of Justice has filed federal charges against Brown that could lead to life imprisonment or capital punishment, in addition to a state-level first-degree murder charge in North Carolina.
Trump's Call for a Tougher Stance on Crime
In previous statements from the White House, Trump urged his administration to toughen its stance on crime: "We have to be ruthless like they are. It's the only thing they understand." At the end of August, he announced a proposal to implement the death penalty for anyone committing murder in Washington, D.C. This announcement is part of a broader strategy to tackle what he describes as "rampant criminality" in the nation's capital. He was unequivocal: "If someone murders anyone in the capital, death penalty."
The murders of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska have shocked the nation, not only due to the brutality of the acts but also because of the increasing political pressure to reinstate executions in states with dormant death penalty laws.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Call for Death Penalty
What is Donald Trump's stance on the death penalty?
Donald Trump has been a strong advocate for the death penalty, especially in cases of violent crimes, as part of his broader strategy to combat what he sees as rampant criminality.
Who are the victims in the cases Trump is discussing?
The victims are Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist killed in Utah, and Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee murdered on a train in North Carolina.
Has the suspect in Charlie Kirk's murder been arrested?
Yes, Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk's murder, has been apprehended after being turned in by his father.