Opinion: As political violence increases, young Americans need to come together 

*All interviewees have requested to remain anonymous.                                                                                                     

I was in school on September 10 when I heard that Charlie Kirk had been shot. When I learned shortly after that he had died, I was horrified. Kirk’s death quickly became the main topic of conversation, with many students equally appalled at the young activist’s sudden death.  

We shouldn’t have been shocked. Kirk’s assassination was the latest act in a growing trend of political violence in the United States that began with the attack on the U.S. Capitol four years ago.  

That attack on January 6, 2021, was the tipping point of political violence in America. A nation widely believed to be the leader of the free world had experienced a coup attempt on national television. 

As attacks against political figures grow more frequent, people are becoming desensitized by this violence. All Americans, Democrat and Republican, must come together to promote respectful, civil, and safe discourse. This is especially true for younger Americans, who will shape the country that they’ll live in.  

In the past decade, attacks on high profile politicians have become more frequent, especially since the 2016 election. Notable examples include the January 6 Capitol Attack, last year’s attempted assassination of President Trump, and the arson of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s house.  

The frequency of these attacks has changed ordinary Americans’ perspective on political violence. Shockingly, many now consider it normal. A 2024 poll by the PRRI showed that 29% of Republicans supported the idea of “true American patriots” using violence to save America. In May, the Chicago Project on Security and Threats found that 40% of Democrats supported using force to remove Trump from office. 

Students at my school have noticed this trend. “Honestly, I didn’t really notice this kind of stuff before, but after what happened with Charlie Kirk, I’ve noticed it more and more,” a right-wing high school senior said. Another student, a junior who is left-wing, remarked on the lack of civil discussion. “In a perfect world, we would be able to have conversations and understand and learn from each other, but that doesn’t happen often anymore.” 

Minnesota residents were particularly horrified when Melissa Hortman, a state representative, was killed in a politically motivated assassination. “I was just terribly shocked,” a lifetime Minnesota resident told me. “I was watching the TV when I heard the news, and I just…I was terribly shocked.” Hortman’s killing shook one of the safest states in the U.S., placing 4th of 50 on the US News & World Report ranking. 

These attacks have been fueled by the violent speech of politicians. President Trump is known for his brash rhetoric, frequently mocking his political opponents and referring to Democrats as “communists,” “Marxists,” and “the radical left.” The left has called several GOP supporters and politicians “fascists” and “Nazis” and compared Trump to Hitler. These comparisons by both parties have led to the political violence that plagues America, and all are false. 

As political violence increases, dramatic change is needed in the way we deal with those we disagree with. That must start with youth. According to a YouGov survey, younger Americans are more likely to call political violence acceptable. Young people will shape our future, and the acceptance of political violence by youth is concerning. 

Some people argue against reconciliation because they’ve been personally affected by an opposing group or belief. An example is transgender people’s dislike of conservatives. Many left-wingers who had been personally offended by Charlie Kirk’s statements mocked him, with some saying that he deserved to die. On the right, the Trump Administration’s partisan rhetoric—blaming the Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown, refusing to call Governor Walz after Hortman’s death, and threatening to investigate and shut down liberal agencies—further destabilizes America and pressures Democrats to respond similarly. That leads to a vicious cycle of partisanship that prevents reconciliation. 

Because of this, America is left vulnerable to greater violence and polarization. We need to bring decency back into American politics, and that starts with respecting the beliefs of others. 

The only way for our nation to heal is for each of us to develop an understanding of what others believe. Civil debate is one way to do that. Young people who have grown up in this combative atmosphere need to understand that this is not normal. Respectful conversation with one another is necessary for a better society. 

Our country needs bipartisan politics—if only to get ordinary things done. The reduction of political violence must start with youth. Only when young people go out and have conversations with those they disagree with will America become safer and securer for all of us. 

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