The Assassination of Charlie Kirk and the Rising Tide of Political Violence
Charlie Kirk, a polarizing but deeply influential political activist, was shot and killed in Utah on Wednesday in front of thousands of people. He was just 31 years old, leaving behind a wife and two young children. His death is shocking, brutal, and heartbreaking. And while the investigation is ongoing and the shooter remains at large, it’s hard to imagine that his killing wasn’t politically motivated.
This tragedy isn’t just about one man. It’s part of a disturbing pattern — a growing wave of political violence that is threatening the very fabric of our country.
Violence Is Not a Partisan Problem
Some commentators were quick to point fingers, claiming that the political left is more prone to violence, citing the assassination attempts on Donald Trump and the killing of the UnitedHealth CEO. But that narrative doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. In June, Minnesota legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband were murdered in their home. Not long before that, Paul Pelosi was violently attacked in his.
Political violence isn’t a “right vs. left” problem. It’s a societal one. Threat monitors say that online chatter from extremist groups is at an all-time high on both sides of the political spectrum. The idea that only one party or movement is responsible for this rising hostility is not just false — it’s dangerous.
A Dangerous Moment
The murder of a young, well-known figure like Charlie Kirk in front of a live audience is a turning point moment. His supporters will rightly be horrified and angry. The best leaders will step up, lower the temperature, and try to keep us from spiraling further. The worst will seize on this tragedy to weaponize fear and channel outrage toward their political opponents.
Some voices will even suggest Kirk brought this violence upon himself because of his outspoken views. That’s reprehensible. No one deserves to be attacked or killed for their beliefs or their words. Violence is never the answer.
Lessons From History
We’ve seen this before — in our own history and in other democracies. When a nation is this polarized, violence often escalates over years. Eventually, something breaks the fever, but not before a period of deep pain and loss.
Think of Northern Ireland during The Troubles. Think of America in the 1960s, a time of assassinations, riots, and social upheaval. History tells us that unless leaders and citizens actively work to de-escalate, things will get worse before they get better.
I fear we are closer to the beginning of this cycle than the end. I hope I’m wrong. But every sign points toward the fever rising, not breaking.
A Call for Change
Our political system is designed to reward division. A viable third party or structural reforms could help realign incentives and reduce polarization. The vast majority of Americans know violence is not the answer, yet we’re trapped in a cycle that keeps pushing us further apart.
Charlie Kirk should still be alive today. So should Melissa Hortman. Their deaths are not just tragedies — they are warnings.
If we want to avoid more bloodshed, it starts with us. It starts with choosing dialogue over violence, humanity over hatred, and empathy over vengeance. We can demand more from our leaders, our media, and ourselves.
For now, I pray for Charlie’s family, Melissa’s family, and every family that’s suffered senseless loss. May their deaths remind us of what’s at stake and pull us back from the brink.