I am distressed. I am sad. I am shocked. Everywhere I turn, violence is in the headlines. Violence against police. Violence in our streets. Violence in our political spaces. We can’t even breathe under the weight of it anymore.

This isn’t the America I grew up with. This isn’t the America I was proud to be from. Once, I believed we revered our Constitution, respected our courts, and valued peaceful disagreement. Today, I see people turning to threats, to rage, to violence — and it is tearing us apart.

Even when I disagree completely with someone’s politics, I believe in compassion for their families when tragedy strikes. That’s why I called for sympathy for the loved ones of Charlie Kirk, even though I opposed his ideology with every fiber of my being. But then his own widow went on record, urging people to “fight.” She was guaranteeing more violence. That is not America. Or at least, not the America I thought I knew.

To show just how far we have fallen, here is a sobering list of politically motivated violent acts from recent years. These are not rumors or social-media claims — they are documented, with evidence. And I’ve noted when the attacker came from the same party as their target, or the opposite party.

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Politically Motivated Violence in America

Jan 6, 2021 — U.S. Capitol Attack

• Victims: Congress, staff, law enforcement.
• Perpetrators: Pro-Trump rioters.
• Same/Opposite: Opposite (pro-Trump mob targeted lawmakers opposing Trump’s claims).
• Evidence: Hundreds of prosecutions citing pro-Trump motives.

Oct 28, 2022 — Attack on Paul Pelosi

• Victim: Paul Pelosi (husband of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat).
• Perpetrator: David DePape, radicalized by far-right conspiracies.
• Same/Opposite: Opposite (right-wing attacker targeting Democrat leader’s home).
• Evidence: Court records, his writings and statements.

Dec 2022 – Jan 2023 — Solomon Peña shootings (New Mexico)

• Victims: Local Democratic officials.
• Perpetrator: Solomon Peña, Republican candidate who lost his race.
• Same/Opposite: Opposite (Republican targeting Democrats).
• Evidence: Indictment and sentencing reports.

June 13, 2024 — Shooting at Trump Rally (Butler, PA)

• Victim: Donald Trump and rally attendees.
• Perpetrator: Thomas Matthew Crooks (killed at scene).
• Same/Opposite: Unknown (motive not publicly established).
• Evidence: Ongoing FBI investigation.

April 13, 2025 — Attempted Firebombing at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Residence (PA)

• Victim: Josh Shapiro (Democratic governor).
• Perpetrator: Cody Balmer, arrested; posted anti-Democrat sentiments.
• Same/Opposite: Opposite (anti-Democrat attacker targeting Democrat governor).
• Evidence: Police arrest reports.

May 21, 2025 — Shooting of Israeli Embassy Staff (Washington, D.C.)

• Victims: Two Israeli embassy staff.
• Perpetrator: Suspect reportedly shouted “Free Palestine,” FBI labeled act of terror.
• Same/Opposite: N/A (foreign policy motive, not U.S. partisan).
• Evidence: FBI statement.

June 14, 2025 — Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings

• Victims: Democratic state legislators, including Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman.
• Perpetrator: Vance Boelter; manifesto targeted Democrats and public officials.
• Same/Opposite: Opposite (anti-Democrat attacker targeting Democratic lawmakers).
• Evidence: Manifesto recovered by investigators.

Sept 10, 2025 — Assassination of Charlie Kirk (Utah)

• Victim: Charlie Kirk (conservative activist).
• Perpetrator: Tyler Robinson, registered “unaffiliated,” writings reflected left-leaning views hostile to Kirk’s rhetoric.
• Same/Opposite: Opposite (left-leaning attacker targeting right-wing figure).
• Evidence: Charging documents, reporting from court.

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What This Tells Us

The pattern is painful: people are crossing the line from politics into violence, and too often they are targeting those from the opposite side of the aisle. This is not debate. This is not dissent. This is destruction.

And America, I hardly recognize you.

We can disagree passionately. We can organize, we can protest, we can vote — but if we descend into violence, we lose the very soul of democracy. We lose the freedom that allows us to breathe.

I feel like America is burning. I know I can’t put out this fire alone. But I also know we must try, together. Because if we give up now, there will be nothing left to rescue.

Judy T.