President Donald Trump revealed what he described as one of Charlie Kirk’s final requests before the conservative activist’s assassination earlier this month.
Speaking at a memorial event in Glendale, Arizona, Trump said Kirk had urged his administration to “save Chicago.” Kirk was born and raised in the city’s suburbs.
In recent weeks, Trump has pledged to override Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and deploy National Guard troops to Chicago as part of a broad crackdown on crime.
“We owe Charlie a profound and eternal debt of gratitude,” Trump said during his speech, going on to praise the Turning Point USA founder for promoting “freedom and justice” around the country.
“Charles James Kirk was heinously murdered by a radicalized leftist for speaking the truth that was in his heart,” Trump said. “He was violently killed because he spoke for freedom and justice, for God, touched for reason and for common sense. He was assassinated because he lived bravely.
“He lived boldly and he argued brilliantly without apology. He did what was right for our nation,” Trump added.
