The recent assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Utah has divided the nation, but one thing is clear: political violence is abhorrent and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
With millions of followers on social media, Kirk’s death brought grief and tension to his supporters, prompting many of them to blame Democrats and liberal politics. At the same time, others have rejoiced in his killing—a horrific response.
Even with the suspect now in custody after a two-day manhunt, the violence itself demands a firm and unequivocal rejection. While Kirk’s political views, especially on race, immigration, and Christian Nationalism, were often divisive, he expressed them fully within his First Amendment rights.
Additionally, at each campus visit Kirk set up a “Prove Me Wrong” station for those who wanted to debate him. Instead of climbing a rooftop to fire a fatal shot, the suspect should have engaged with Kirk through discussion and debate.
The tragic event also shouldn’t be used to incite further political division. Unfortunately, Kirk’s assasination has been used to call out Democrats and liberals, with President Donald Trump blaming the shooting on what he called the “radical left.” Additionally, Republican South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace told reporters, “Democrats own this.” Such quick blame, before the facts were fully known, only heightened polarization at a moment when unity was needed.
This merits repeating: political violence must be strongly condemned and called out, no matter who it is against. Kirk’s killing comes just under three months after the assassination of a State Democrat Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home.
Equally abhorrent was the assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate President Trump a year ago, and the violence that occurred during the January 6, 2021 Capitol Hill riots. Political violence, on either side of the spectrum, is clearly a widespread problem in the United States.
At least 300 incidents of political violence occurred between the Capitol Hill riots and the 2024 presidential election, the largest surge since the 1970s, according to a recent study by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism.
Another study by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that since 2020, the United States has had the second-highest fatality rate from political violence among Canada, the United Kingdom, and all European Union nations, with only Luxembourg ranking higher.
Both Democrats and Republicans have been threatened, assaulted, and even killed for expressing their beliefs. Blaming the opposing party—or only speaking out when violence targets your own side—will only worsen the problem.
At the end of the day, Hortman and Kirk were killed for one reason—their beliefs. Their murders must be treated with the same disdain, regardless of anyone’s ideology. Americans must learn to respectfully disagree, without allowing anger to turn into violence.
We need to allow ourselves to feel sympathy for others with opposing views, and to stop pointing fingers at the other party whenever tragedy occurs.
We have to participate in conversations to learn about other people and their experiences, and uphold a healthy environment for discussion and open-debate.
While these steps may seem small and ineffective, they will contribute to restoring our security of freedom of speech and expression.
