Trump admin updates: Trump at Charlie Kirk memorial service

The president and several of his Cabinet officials will speak at the service.

ByKevin Shalvey, Alexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, and David Brennan
Last Updated: September 21, 2025, 4:09 PM EDT

President Donald Trump is among those who will speak Sunday at the memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Cook, who was assassinated last week.

On his way out of the White House Sunday morning, Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi for doing a "great job" after appearing to criticize her the day before over the lack of prosecutions against his political opponents.

On Friday, Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi about a variety of topics, including trade and the TikTok deal.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 16, 2025, 2:57 PM EDT

Trump extends TikTok shutdown deadline to Dec. 16

President Donald Trump has again extended the deadline for TikTok to avoid a ban in the United States -- this time until Dec. 16.

The move comes as Trump said he's reached a deal with China on TikTok and that he will speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday to "firm" up the details. Trump said on Tuesday that a group of companies wants to buy the app, but didn't provide any more specifics.

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One as they depart for a state visit to Britain, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, September 16, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Sep 16, 2025, 2:08 PM EDT

Trump says Republicans will hold 'Midterm Convention'

President Donald Trump has confirmed that Republicans will hold a "Midterm Convention" ahead of the 2026 elections, posting Tuesday on social media that the time and place for the gathering is still to be determined.

"The Republicans are going to do a Midterm Convention in order to show the great things we have done since the Presidential Election of 2024," Trump wrote on his social media platform. "Stay tuned, it will be quite the Event, and very exciting!"

President Donald Trump speaks to the media before departing for a state visit to Britain, at the White House in Washington, September 16, 2025.
Ken Cedeno/Reuters

Sep 16, 2025, 2:04 PM EDT

Sen. Graham signals deal on Russia sanctions bill could be coming soon

On Capitol Hill, there is increasing pressure from some Republican senators for action on a bipartisan Russian sanctions bill.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the bill's sponsors, said GOP leaders have been somewhat reluctant to bring forward the popular bill in the House or Senate floor for a vote without President Donald Trump's explicit blessing to move forward. But Graham said Tuesday he's been in communication with the administration, and he believes a deal could be struck as soon as Wednesday.

"I think it's time to move. I think Europe needs to follow President Trump's lead," Graham said

Graham said he's been working "very closely with President Trump" and that he believes that "by Wednesday we'll have our differences resolved as to how the waiver works." A plan for moving the bill, Graham said, could be coming in the next few days.

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to governor of Smolensk region Vasily Anokhin, at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 10, 2025.
Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Sputnik via AP

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Sep 16, 2025, 10:07 AM EDT

Trump reacts to Israel starting ground offensive in Gaza

President Donald Trump was asked by a reporter for his reaction to Israel beginning a ground offensive in Gaza City.

"We're going to see what happens because I hear Hamas is trying to use the old human shield deal, and if they do that, they're going to be in big trouble," Trump said as he left the White House on Tuesday. "They're going to be in big trouble. They put it out two days ago that they're going to use the hostages as human shields."

President Donald Trump speaks to the media before departing for a state visit to Britain, at the White House in Washington, September 16, 2025.
Ken Cedeno/Reuters

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