TLT Explains

Media Coverage of Charlotte Train Stabbing Sparks Controversy

By The Liberty Tribune Staff

Published: 9/23/2025 · Updated: 9/23/2025 · 5 min read

On August 22, Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian national, was fatally stabbed multiple times.

What's happening

Media Coverage of Charlotte Train Stabbing Sparks Controversy — Families of victims of violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants are voicing their frustrations over the Biden administration's immigration policies. They argue that these policies have contributed to a rise in crime and have left them without justice, prompting a call for accountability and reform. Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move Tragic Incidents Highlight Concerns Joe Abraham, whose daughter Katie was killed in a tragic car crash involving an illegal immigrant, expressed his anger and confusion over the legal processes surrounding such cases. Katie Abraham, 20, and her friend Chloe Polzin, 21, were struck by an SUV driven by Julio Cucul-Bol, a Guatemalan national with a criminal history. The crash occurred in January 2024 when Cucul-Bol, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, slammed into their vehicle at nearly 80 miles per hour, resulting in devastating consequences for the victims' families. Abraham stated, "Just because the Biden administration was reckless does that mean the states individually have to become just as reckless? That’s what I don’t understand." He has been advocating for accountability and reform to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future, emphasizing the need for stricter immigration enforcement and better vetting processes. Legal Challenges and Policy Implications Cucul-Bol, who fled the scene but was later apprehended, faces multiple charges, including lying to obtain a green card and possessing a false Social Security card. He is currently serving a 30-year sentence for his role in the crash. Abraham's concerns extend beyond Cucul-Bol's actions; he questions how someone with such a background could obtain a driver's license in Illinois, where a new law allows undocumented immigrants to apply for standard licenses. Supreme Court decision allowing illegal aliens access to public schools have resurfaced in Charlotte, North Carolina, this week.

What's at stake

Following the Department of Homeland Security's announcement of enforcement operations in the city, local reports indicated a significant spike in student absences. Approximately 30,000 students were reported absent from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) on Monday, a figure that more than doubles the average daily absences from the previous week. Explainer Supreme Court Questions Legality of Trump's Emergency Tariffs Initial reports cited 20,935 absences, but this number was later revised. Of the reported absences, 28,136 were categorized as unexcused, according to Queen City News. The following day, CMS recorded another 25,697 absences, with 23,770 unexcused. While officials have not confirmed a direct link between the absences and immigration operations, similar trends were noted in Chicago after ICE initiated a sweep there. CMS has a substantial Hispanic student population, with over 44,000 students identified as Hispanic. Census Bureau data from 2023 indicates that 11 percent of North Carolina's K-12 students have at least one undocumented parent. Recent media reports have suggested that the 'full, complete' presidential pardons issued by former President Donald Trump related to the 2020 election cannot shield individuals from state charges.

Constitution's pardon clause only applies to federal offenses. However, proponents of Trump's pardons contend that this interpretation is incorrect. Explainer Supreme Court Questions Legality of Trump's Emergency Tariffs The pardon clause, as outlined in the Constitution, grants the president the power to issue pardons for offenses against the United States, with the exception of impeachment cases. This means that state laws cannot restrict the president's pardon powers. Advocates for Trump's pardons argue that the 77 individuals recently pardoned—including alternate electors, federal officials, and activists—were acting in defense of , thus justifying their pardons under the president's authority. The Senate Judiciary Committee recently described the FBI's Arctic Frost operation, which targeted various aspects of the Republican Party and conservative movement, as '100 times worse than Watergate.' Despite this, major media outlets largely ignored the press conference detailing the FBI's actions, which allegedly aimed to undermine President Donald Trump's reelection campaign by gathering data on approximately 430 Republican individuals and entities. Legal experts note that attempts to limit the scope of this clause have consistently failed in court. The concept of dual sovereignty in the U.S. legal system, which recognizes both federal and state jurisdictions, is said to be subject to the supremacy clause. What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

The coverage highlights: Families of Victims Call for Accountability Amid Immigration Policy Concerns. The coverage highlights: It's Past Time Red States Work To Topple SCOTUS' 'Plyler' Ruling. The coverage highlights: Trump's 'Complete' Pardons Cover Bogus State Election Charges. The coverage highlights: Arctic Frost '100 Times Worse Than Watergate' Media Won't Cover. The coverage highlights: Alleged Rape of 10-Year-Old Girl Near Dublin Sparks Protests. The coverage highlights: NY's Soft Laws Mean No Consequences For Murder Threats.

Key facts & context

2025-12-05: Families of Victims Call for Accountability Amid Immigration Policy Concerns. 2025-11-20: It's Past Time Red States Work To Topple SCOTUS' 'Plyler' Ruling. 2025-11-14: Trump's 'Complete' Pardons Cover Bogus State Election Charges. 2025-10-30: Arctic Frost '100 Times Worse Than Watergate' Media Won't Cover. 2025-10-30: Alleged Rape of 10-Year-Old Girl Near Dublin Sparks Protests. 2025-10-30: NY's Soft Laws Mean No Consequences For Murder Threats. 2025-09-10: Questions Arise Over Judge's Decision to Release Charlotte Stabbing Suspect. 2025-09-09: Media Rush To Defend Democrats By Calling Murder 'Political'. 2025-09-09: Charlotte Mayor Scrambles After Backlash Over Sympathy With Stabber. 2025-09-09: Charlotte Stabbing Didn't Fit The Press' Narrative, So It Was Buried.

Timeline & key developments

Primary sources

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