Taylor Lorenz on the Real “Political Violence” in the U.S.

In introducing her most recent video commentary, journalist and author Taylor Lorenz says the following.

When a powerful right-wing figure like Charlie Kirk is attacked or killed, political leaders and media rush to mourn them as a martyr and condemn “political violence.”

But what does political violence actually mean? While violence against elites is treated as a national tragedy, violence against poor, Black, immigrant, queer, and disabled people is sanctioned. The truth is that political violence has always been part of life in America, but somehow it only becomes a “national emergency” when that violence threatens power.

In this video, I talk about the history of “political violence” in the U.S., what the term actually means in practice, how it’s weaponized, and what we need to do if we actually want to put a stop to it.

Related Off-site Links:
Israel, Charlie Kirk, and the Weaponization of Murder: An Interview with Max Blumenthal – The Chris Hedges Report (September 15, 2025).
Charlie Kirk Refused Netanyahu Funding Offer, Was “Frightened” by Pro-Israel Forces Before Death, Friend Reveals – Max Blumenthal and Anya Parampil (The Grayzone,September 12, 2025).
“Moment of Great Peril”: Jeff Sharlet on Killing of Charlie Kirk and Rising Political Violence in U.S. – Democracy Now! (September 11, 2025).
Charlie Kirk’s Toxic Legacy of Hatred and Division – Christopher D. Cook (Common Dreams, September 11, 2025).
Charlie Kirk Dies After Being Shot During Utah Event – David Doel (The Rational National, September 10, 2025).

UPDATES: Stephen Miller Says He and Trump Will Use Law Enforcement to “Dismantle” the Left After Charlie Kirk Shooting – Stephen Prager (Common Dreams, September 13, 2025).
“The Martyrdom of Charlie Kirk”: Journalist Chris Hedges on the Weaponization of Kirk’s Killing – Democracy Now! (September 15, 2025).
White House Working to Criminalize Left-Wing Dissent as “Domestic Terror” in Wake of Charlie Kirk Murder – Brett Wilkins (Common Dreams, September 15, 2025).
“Political Violence” is All Around Us – Stephen Prager (Current Affairs, September 16, 2025).


See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
• “Bullets Are Replacing Ballots and Political Arguments Are Being Answered with Gunfire”
• Calvin Michaels: “I Really Don’t Want to Hear What Charlie Kirk’s Supporters Have to Say When It Comes to Morality”
• A Simple and Brutal Truth
• Naming the Pattern and the Source
• A “Racist and Factless Meltdown” Over Omar Fateh
• Robert Reich: Quote of the Day – July 14, 2024