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

Republican lawmakers gathered at the Kennedy Center.

ByKevin Shalvey, Alexandra Hutzler, and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: September 14, 2025, 9:58 PM EDT

White House officials and Republican lawmakers gathered at the Kennedy Center at 6 p.m. to hold a prayer vigil in remembrance of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

On Saturday, after long promising to impose consequences on Russia in an effort to get President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump pressed NATO nations to join him before he imposes potential sanctions.

Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that there is an appetite in Congress to impose sanctions on Russia, which he said are "overdue."

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 13, 2025, 10:45 AM EDT

Trump says he's ready for Russian sanctions only if NATO agrees to same

After long promising to impose consequences on Russia in an effort to get President Putin to the negotiation table to end the war in Ukraine, Trump pressed NATO nations Saturday to join him before he imposes potential sanctions.

Trump posted on his social media platform an alleged letter he sent to NATO nations, urging them to stop purchasing Russian oil along with calling for “50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA.”

President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, September 11, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

“The purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia. Anyway, I am ready to 'go' when you are. Just say when?”

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa

Sep 12, 2025, 3:11 PM EDT

Former Biden press secretary deposed before GOP-led House Oversight Committee

Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sat for a closed deposition Friday with the GOP-led House Oversight Committee that has been probing former President Joe Biden's mental fitness.

Jean-Pierre did not respond to reporters who shouted questions.

Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre arrives for an interview with the House Oversight Committee investigating former President Joe Biden's mental fitness while in office, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 12, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Committee Chairman James Comer briefly told reporters, "We intentionally wanted Jean-Pierre to be one of the last people we bring in."

The chairman said the committee will release a report once it finishes closed interviews with former Biden officials. He signaled that a public hearing on Biden's use of autopen and "cognitive decline" is possible.

-ABC News' Lauren Peller

Sep 12, 2025, 11:06 AM EDT

Trump to meet with Qatari PM to discuss Israeli strike in Doha: Official

Trump is expected to meet on Friday evening in New York with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and discuss the aftermath of the Israeli strike against Hamas leaders in Doha earlier this week, a White House official confirmed to ABC News.

President Donald walks toward reporters while departing the White House, September 11, 2025 in Washington.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

The meeting comes on the heels of the Qatari prime minister's separate meeting at the White House with Secretary of State Marco Rubio Friday morning.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray

Sep 12, 2025, 8:58 AM EDT

Trump suggests more tariffs on Russia

President Trump, on "Fox & Friends," said his patience with Russian President Vladimir Putin is "sort of running out and running out fast." He said the administration is "going to have to come down very, very strong" on Russia.

When asked what he was going to do, Trump said "more sanctions" could be in store for Russia and weighed in on Russian drones entering Polish airspace. He said Putin "shouldn't be close to Poland anyways.

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