## The Escalating Threat of Political Violence
A disturbing pattern is emerging in American politics: an increase in acts of violence directed at political figures, eroding civility and threatening our democratic foundations.
This isn’t about partisan loyalties or opinions on individuals like Donald Trump. It’s a broader issue that demands attention and condemnation regardless of your political affiliation. We seem to have grown accustomed to this trend—much like we have with mass shootings—numbing ourselves to the danger it represents.
The recent incidents are deeply concerning:
- Two assassination attempts on former President Trump, including a near-fatal shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, where his quick reflexes saved him from serious injury.
- A failed attempt to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022, where an individual drove across the country with weapons and was apprehended just before reaching the justice’s home. The perpetrator recently pleaded guilty.
- The attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro during the first night of Passover, a brazen act of arson targeting his family’s residence while they slept. The suspect admitted to harboring hatred for the governor.
This troubling history extends further back:
- Accusations of responsibility were leveled against Rush Limbaugh following the Oklahoma City bombing.
- Sarah Palin faced blame in connection with a map depicting crosshairs on political targets, tragically linked to the shooting that wounded Gabby Giffords and killed six others. A retrial related to defamation charges stemming from this is pending.
- The attack on Republican Congressman Steve Scalise during a baseball practice in Virginia by an individual who expressed admiration for Rachel Maddow highlighted how quickly blame and political point-scoring follow such events.
Governor Shapiro, recounting the terrifying experience, stated: “This type of violence is not okay. I don’t give a damn if it’s from one particular side or another. It’s not okay.” He emphasized his commitment to celebrating faith openly and proudly, stating, “No one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly or proudly.”
The attack on Shapiro also carries a particularly sinister element – it was fueled by anti-Semitism. The arsonist targeted the governor, who is Jewish, and his family during Passover.
Former President Trump’s silence on the matter is notable, especially considering he previously led the investigation into an attempted assassination against himself. While FBI Director Kash Patel did reach out, a personal message from the former president would send a powerful signal that political violence of any kind is unacceptable.
Senator Dave McCormick (R-Penn.) underscored the gravity of the situation: “The pictures of the damage to the residence are horrifying. Yet even more frightening is the trend that this attack is a part of. And if left unchecked, this trend — of using political violence to settle our differences — has the potential to destroy our republic.”
Furthermore, security lapses at the governor’s mansion raise serious questions about vulnerability and preparedness.
It’s imperative that media outlets don’t dismiss this as a fleeting story. A Jewish governor was targeted in a near-assassination attempt—this demands sustained attention and thorough examination of the underlying causes and preventative measures needed to protect our leaders and safeguard our democracy.
