"A specter is haunting the United States once again: that of political violence. The Wednesday assassination on the campus of Utah Valley University of Charlie Kirk a prominent champion of the MAGA movement and founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA who was shot in the neck as he was answering an uncomfortable question about the epidemic of gun violence before an audience of thousands revived grim memories for a country that has seen four sitting presidents assassinated, and more recently witnessed a wave of ideological crimes fueled by a deeply polarized society."
"from the assault on the Capitol of January 6, 2021, to the plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer months earlier for her Covid-19 measures during the lockdown as Democratic governor of Michigan; from the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to the murder of two Minnesota politicians; and from the execution of the CEO of United Healthcare to the two attempts last summer on the life of President Donald Trump, then still a candidate."
"With a recorded message from the Oval Office, delivered around 9:00 p.m. Washington time, Trump squandered the opportunity to join Klein and those on both sides of the political aisle who had been issuing calls to show restraint. It's become a sad routine in today's America: a political figure dies or suffers an attack, and ineffectual wishes calling for the review of the rules of public discourse follow, with the same lack of impact as the condolences sending thoughts and prayers to the victims every time a mass murder occurs."
Charlie Kirk was assassinated on the Utah Valley University campus while answering a question about gun violence, shot in the neck before thousands. The incident revived memories of historical political assassinations and a recent wave of ideologically motivated crimes. Examples include the January 6 Capitol assault, a plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, murders of Minnesota politicians, the execution of a UnitedHealthcare CEO, and attempts on Donald Trump. Political violence is described as contagious and not confined to one side. Calls for restraint and review of public discourse have followed, but official responses have often lacked impact.
Read at english.elpais.com
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