Political Violence and Rhetoric: A Rising Concern

New York State Representative Pat Ryan expressed his surprise at having to call Republicans “fascists,” “Nazis,” or “Hitler” during a CNN segment on Friday.

The discussion around political violence intensified following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in Utah. During this conversation, CNN’s Kasie Hunt questioned Ryan about whether terms like “Nazi” and “Hitler,” often used by the left against Republicans, might worsen the situation.

“I don’t really think so,” Ryan replied. “People are grappling with an extraordinary time in our nation. History might not repeat itself, but it does echo some of humanity’s darkest periods, and many are struggling to articulate their thoughts. The Constitution, in a way, jeopardized my life for 27 months.”

He continued, “It’s tough to express things constructively. Those terms seem more academic to me. To label them that way feels like a call to violence, something we hear from leaders across both parties.”

On the day of his murder, Kirk was interacting with students at Utah Valley University. Tragically, just 20 minutes post-event, he was shot and later succumbed to his injuries despite initial stabilization.

Some Democrats reacted to the news by implying Kirk was careless due to his political stance, while others pointed fingers at President Trump’s rhetoric for the escalating political violence.

Tensions have significantly increased between Republicans and Democrats as the 2024 presidential election cycle unfolds. The media and former Vice President Kamala Harris have amplified their rhetoric against Trump, with Harris labeling a presidential candidate a “fascist” and Biden suggesting incarceration.

On July 13, 2024, an assassination attempt on Trump occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was targeted during a campaign event, resulting in the death of a volunteer fire chief. A few months later, on September 15, Secret Service agents found assailants hiding with rifles near Trump International Golf Club in Florida.

In June, Minnesota Senator Melissa Hortman and her husband were tragically killed in their home. Additionally, self-identified socialists supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement set fire to the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.