Surge in Political Violence: The Fatal Shooting of Activist Charlie Kirk and Beyond

Kirk\’s death: Recent attacks on Trump, US governors, lawmakers, and Capitol

• Justice John Roberts observed a rise in threats against the judiciary.
• Political violence heightens in polarized society.
• Post Charlie Kirk’s death, leaders decry violent acts and terrorized communities.

The shooting and killing of Charlie Kirk highlighted the surge in violence and threats against public figures.

High profile targets include President Donald Trump and Democrats including Gov. Josh Shapiro and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. A man attacked Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer.

Congress members and judges also face escalating threats. Both parties’ Congress members have been shot, including Gabrielle Giffords and Steve Scalise.

In response to Kirk’s shooting, Giffords urged on social media to reject violent confrontations.

Kirk shot and killed at Utah Valley University

Kirk, 31, was shot at Utah Valley University during his The American Comeback Tour. He was shot during a discussion about gang violence.

The event was controversial. A petition amassed nearly 1,000 signatures calling to bar Kirk from speaking at the university due to his \”divisive rhetoric.\” Kirk’s recent remarks about young women who voted for Kamala Harris fueled controversy.

Despite the controversy, the university upheld its commitment to free speech and neutrality in a statement before the shooting.

Two assassination attempts on Trump

In an increasingly polarized society, political violence has reached its pinnacle. Trump was wounded at a campaign rally in 2024. Another alleged assassination attempt involved a man hiding at Trump’s golf course with a rifle.

Kris Brown, president of the Brady gun-control advocacy group, condemned violent acts in a statement after Kirk’s shooting.

Arson and kidnapping plot against governors

A Harrisburg man was charged with arson after an attack on Shapiro’s residence. The suspect, who was also charged with attempted murder, allegedly harbored hatred for the governor.

Whitmer was targeted by a group aiming to incite civil war in 2020. They planned to kidnap her. Of the fourteen men charged with the attempted kidnapping, five were acquitted, four pled guilty, and five were convicted on various counts.

Minnesota lawmakers stalked and killed

A 57-year-old man was charged with stalking and murdering state House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, and state Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The lawmakers were Democrats. The suspect disguised himself as a law enforcement officer.

“These were targeted political assassinations…an attack on our state and our democracy,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson in a statement.

Surge in threats against members of Congress, judges

Characterized by periods of increase and decrease, political violence peaked on Jan. 6, 2021, when a riot occurred at the U.S. Capitol in support of Trump.

US Capitol Police reported that in 2024, 9,474 direct threats were investigated against lawmakers, their relatives, and staffers.

Roberts highlighted a significant increase in threats against all levels of the judiciary in December 2024.

“Violence is unacceptable,” said Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz on social media after Kirk’s shooting.