Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., released a nearly four-and-a-half minute video on social media in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, expressing concern over “a disturbing rise in political violence.” He warned that such violence could deter individuals from engaging in public life, stating that “every American” must denounce the act against Kirk.
While Sanders has historically opposed Republicans and figures like Kirk, he emphasized that political disagreement is fundamental to democracy. He asserted that those who resort to violence are acting out of cowardice. “A free and democratic society, which is what America is supposed to be about, depends upon the basic premise that people can speak out, organize and participate in public life without fear,” Sanders stated in the video. “Without worrying that they might be killed, injured or humiliated for expressing their political views. In fact, that is the essence of what freedom is about and what democracy is about.”
https://x.com/SenSanders/status/1966252385908699568
Sanders expressed concern that escalating political violence could create a chilling effect on democratic engagement. “Political violence, in fact, is political cowardice. It means that you cannot convince people of the correctness of your ideas, and you have to impose them through force,” he explained. “Every American, regardless of their political beliefs, must condemn all forms of political violence and intimidation. We must welcome and respect dissenting opinions; that is the essence of our constitution and bill of rights, and indeed, what freedom is about.”
He added, “The murder of Charlie Kirk is part of a disturbing rise in political violence that threatens to hollow out public life and make people afraid of participating.” Following Kirk’s assassination on Wednesday, social media erupted with posts celebrating the event. However, lawmakers from both parties have condemned the violence that led to Kirk’s death.
Senator Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., remarked, “This is beyond terrible. Charlie Kirk was a husband, father, and son. Violence is never the answer. Sydney and I are keeping the Kirk family in our prayers.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune shared his concerns about the increasing threat of violence in political discourse, stating, “I’m deeply disturbed about the threat of violence that has entered our political life, and I pray that we will remember that every person, no matter how vehement our disagreement with them, is a human being and a fellow American deserving of respect and protection.”
In a prescient post in April, Kirk himself had warned about the “assassination culture” proliferating on the left, citing a study which indicated that a significant percentage of liberals believed it might be justified to murder public figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. “The left is being whipped into a violent frenzy. Any setback, whether losing an election or a court case, justifies a maximally violent response,” he wrote.
