This is Not the Way.
Violence Begets Violence
Credit: Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons
Christian nationalist, right-wing activist, and founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated yesterday, September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University. Kirk was hosting a live event as part of his “Prove Me Wrong” tour when he was shot in the neck with what police have described as a long-range rifle. As of this writing, the killer remains unknown, though the FBI is attempting to identify a person of interest.
To see Trump’s full address:
https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1965947311718269341/video/1
For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.
My Administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement officials, and everyone else who brings order to our country. From the attack on my life in Butler, Pennsylvania last year, which killed a husband and father, to the attacks on ICE agents, to the vicious murder of a healthcare executive in the streets of New York, to the shooting of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and three others, radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people and taken too many lives. — President Donald J. Trump, national address on Charlie Kirk’s death, Sept. 10, 2025
Love him or hate him, Kirk was murdered. Regardless of intent, that is unacceptable. The death penalty is immoral in every context—whether enforced by the state, sanctioned by an army, or carried out by a vigilante. Political violence only strengthens the fascist movement, giving it new martyrs and new excuses to crack down on dissent.
We still do not know who the killer is or why they carried out this attack, but every detail we have points to a premeditated strike targeting Kirk specifically. Only one shot was fired, and it hit him directly. The shooter chose a secure, hidden position, took their shot, and escaped without being caught. This strongly suggests a high degree of planning—and that the shooter hit their intended target.
Within hours of Kirk’s death, Trump was already blaming Democrats for the attack. Transphobic Rep. Nancy Mace declared, “The Democrats own this,” in response to the shooting. Most conservative media figures are framing it as leftist violence. Leftist commentators such as Hasan Piker have already received comments like, “Should have been you instead of Kirk,” in their comment sections. Conservatives on X and TikTok are posting videos vowing revenge. Honestly, the killer’s motive no longer matters. Regardless of who the shooter is or what their politics may be, the right’s lies are already louder than the truth.
Trump and his allies will seize on this as justification for their violent, fascist agenda. It could accelerate the country’s slide toward military control and give ICE even greater license to terrorize immigrant communities. The safety of all minorities has been further eroded, and trans healthcare could come under even greater threat if they succeed in pinning this on “” We are likely to see more attacks on public media figures and politicians. The consequences will be severe, and innocent people will get hurt.
This is not the way. Violence only begets more violence—especially when it provokes militant, Nazi authoritarians. And maybe that was the point all along. We may never know for sure. The road ahead just got darker, but we cannot afford to look away. Look out for your neighbors—and for yourselves.
