❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel confirmed an investigation into over 20 people linked to an online chat group allegedly connected to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kash Patel, alleged assassin Tyler Robinson, Robinson’s transgender lover Lance Twiggs, and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL).
📍WHEN & WHERE: The assassination occurred on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University. Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 16, 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s important that this FBI is as transparent as possible without jeopardizing investigations.” – Kash Patel
🎯IMPACT: The revelation suggests the FBI is broadening its investigation and raises the possibility that Kirk’s assassination involved more individuals than just Robinson.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel confirmed during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday that the agency is investigating over 20 people connected to a Discord chat group allegedly involved in the planning of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody within 33 hours of the attack, having been turned in to the authorities by his father after being recognized from security camera footage Patel ordered released to the public.
The attack occurred on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was shot during an open forum debate. Patel defended his decision to provide real-time updates on the investigation, stating, “It’s important that this FBI is as transparent as possible without jeopardizing investigations.” He credited the FBI’s release of evidence for aiding in the identification of the suspect by his own family.
While authorities have stated that Robinson’s roommate and boyfriend, male-to-female transgender Lance Twiggs, is cooperating with authorities, the latter’s family members, speaking with the media, suggest ulterior motives. “[Twiggs] is very angry with anyone who is supportive of conservative ideals and Christian values,” a family member said in a recent interview. “As far as I know, he was not going by another name. I just know he was in the process of transitioning. I know he was trying to take different medications.”
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats, including Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), accused Patel of creating confusion with premature updates, claiming he was “anxious to take credit” for the investigation’s progress. However, Patel maintained that transparency was essential, adding, “I was telling the world what the FBI was doing as we were doing it.”
Patel acknowledged that his initial social media post about having a suspect in custody could have been “worded a little better,” but he stood by his approach, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in high-profile investigations. The FBI continues to investigate other groups linked to the plot.
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