PBS Washington Week with The Atlantic - Full Show · Washington Week

Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 9/12/25

·25 min·2 clips

The assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk has Americans fearing an intensifying cycle of political violence.

This episode of Washington Week with The Atlantic examines the national crisis following the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk. Host Yamiche Alcindor is joined by journalists Peter Baker, Laura Brown Lopez, Tim Glasser, and Tom Nichols. The panel analyzes the political and social fallout from this act of violence. The suspect, a 22-year-old named Tyler Robinson, was arrested in Utah, though his motives remain unclear. The assassination is framed as part of a longer, distressing list of political violence targeting figures from both the right and left. This list includes Donald Trump, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Governor Josh Shapiro, and the assassinated Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. All five living U.S. presidents condemned the murder. Former President Donald Trump specifically condemned the political left, which he blamed for the act. The discussion centers on Kirk's role as a young, influential leader within the broader Republican ecosystem. The panelists explore how this event fits into a perceived intensifying cycle of violence. A key insight is that political violence is described as a problem that "metastasizes," suggesting it spreads and worsens organically. The episode notes that citizens are stunned and scared, while political leaders currently have no ready solutions to break the cycle. The arrest has prompted widespread public speculation about the assailant's motivations, which the program aims to handle responsibly. The tone is somber and analytical, reflecting the gravity of the week's events. The style is a structured, roundtable discussion focused on implications rather than narrative. Listeners interested in the immediate political and media response to a major national tragedy would find this episode compelling. Those seeking entertainment or lighter commentary might choose to skip this serious, news-focused analysis.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from PBS Washington Week with The Atlantic - Full Show