President Donald Trump announced he will posthumously award conservative political activist Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday (September 11) while giving remarks at the Pentagon during at an event commemorating the 9/11 attacks.

“Before we begin let me express the horror and grief so many Americans at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk have felt. Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people," Trump said via NBC News. "Our prayers are with his wonderful wife Erika and his beautiful children — fantastic people they are. We miss him greatly, yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on."

Trump didn't reveal when he planned to award Kirk, 31, the medal, but said, "I can only guarantee you one thing — we will have a very big crowd, very very big.” The president President confirmed Kirk's death in a post shared on his Truth Social account Wednesday (September 10).

"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!" Trump wrote.

The unidentified suspect in Kirk's assassination remains at large. Robert Bohls, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Salt Lake City office, said the shooter "appears to be of college age" and "blended in" with the students of Utah Valley University, where the incident took place during a news conference Thursday morning via the Los Angeles Times.

Investigators collected footwear impression, a palm print and forearm imprints for analysis and Bohls claimed that authorities “are confident in our abilities to track that individual. Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization, at the age of 18 along with tea party activist William Montgomery in 2012. The political pundit gained notoriety debating liberal students, winning over conservative financiers.

Kirk enthusiastically supported President Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign and served as a personal aide to his son, Donald Trump Jr., during the campaign, while also gaining a regular presence on cable news.

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