Trump admin updates: White House officials hold prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk

In the wake of the shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk, the White House made the decision to move the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the Pentagon into the courtyard -- away from the 9/11 memorial where the somber ceremony has been held for decades.

"After yesterday's heartbreaking political assassination of Charlie Kirk, a decision was made to move the ceremony to the courtyard," a White House official said.

When pressed about who made the decision, the official confirmed that the White House made the call to move it into the courtyard.

U.S. Secret Service deferred to the White House when asked for comment.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

In Salt Lake City, Utah, Vice President Vance and the second lady will meet with Charlie Kirk’s family and a number of his close friends, a source confirmed to ABC News.

Kirk's casket, along with his family and friends, will then be flown to Phoenix, aboard Air Force Two, the source also confirmed.

Vance mourned Kirk and detailed their friendship after Kirk was fatally shot on Wednesday.

"Charlie Kirk was a true friend. The kind of guy you could say something to and know it would always stay with him. I am on more than a few group chats with Charlie and people he introduced me to over the years. We celebrate weddings and babies, bust each other's chops, and mourn the loss of loved ones. We talk about politics and policy and sports and life. These group chats include people at the very highest level of our government. They trusted him, loved him, and knew he'd always have their backs," Vance wrote in a long post on X.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

President Donald Trump told pool reporters he plans to speak with Charlie Kirk's family on Thursday afternoon. He referred to Kirk's wife, Erika, as a "wonderful woman."

The comments came after Trump announced he will award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. The award is the nation's highest civilian honor.

President Donald Trump delivered remarks at the Pentagon commemorating the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

"On that fateful day, savage monsters attacked the very symbols of our civilization. Yet here in Virginia and in New York and in the skies over Pennsylvania, Americans did not hesitate," Trump said. "They stood on their feet, and they showed the world that we will never yield. We will never bend. We will never give up. And our great American flag will never, ever fail."

Trump told personal stories of heroes and victims of the attacks, saying "that day we learned that the American heroic spirit was all around us."

The president also issued a warning that anyone who would attack the U.S.

"In the years to follow, America's warriors avenge the fallen and send an unmistakable message to every enemy around the world," Trump said. "If you attack the United States of America, we will hunt you down and we will find you. Go all over this sometimes magnificent earth. We will crush you without mercy. And we will triumph without question. That's why we named the former Department of Defense the Department of War."