WASHINGTON – The shooting and killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk shined a spotlight on violence that has engulfed America’s political debate and led to unprecedented threats against public figures.
The shooting and wounding of President Donald Trump in 2024 demonstrated that no one is safe from a potential attack. Other plots have targeted Democrats, including a fire set at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s house while he and his family were home, a kidnapping plot against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and a man who broke into the home of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to attack her husband with a hammer.
Lawmakers in Congress and judges nationwide face a surge in threats. Members of Congress from both parties have been shot. Gabrielle Giffords, a former Democratic House member was shot while meeting with constituents in Arizona in 2011. Six years later, Rep. Steve Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana, was shot during a practice for the annual congressional softball game.
“Democratic societies will always have political disagreements, but we must never allow America to become a country that confronts those disagreements with violence," Giffords said on social media in response to Kirk's shooting. Six people were killed and 13 others wounded in that attack.
