☠️"Political Violence" Edition

Political Violence in America Becomes Disturbingly Normalized

After the assassination of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband and the attempted murder of State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, political leaders from across the spectrum issued statements of shock and condolences. Many, including Steve Scalise, Nancy Pelosi, Gabby Giffords, Josh Shapiro, Gretchen Whitmer, and Donald Trump, have themselves been victims of political violence or threats in recent years.

The Minnesota shootings are part of a disturbing and growing pattern of political violence in the U.S., which now feels both horrifying and increasingly routine. Recent incidents include arson attacks, embassy shootings, violent protests, and multiple assassination attempts, including two directed at Trump during his 2024 campaign. Violent threats against lawmakers, judges, and other officials continue to reach record highs. Direct threats against lawmakers have surged, with Capitol Police investigating nearly 9,500 threats in 2024 alone.

Beyond the actual violence, the political climate has become increasingly toxic, marked by escalating threats, aggressive rhetoric, and incidents such as the recent confrontation in which Sen. Alex Padilla was handcuffed for attempting to question a cabinet secretary. Leaders like Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Amy Klobuchar have warned that disinformation, extreme partisanship, and inflammatory rhetoric are fueling this dangerous trend.

While political violence has long been part of American history, experts caution that today’s extreme polarization and the dehumanization of political opponents are creating a dangerously permissive environment. Figures like Trump have at times encouraged or excused violence, contributing to the escalation.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called for a renewed commitment to peaceful political discourse, emphasizing that America must reject violence as a means of resolving political differences.

As law enforcement addresses immediate threats, some officials are calling for deeper reflection on the political climate, noting that the goal of political violence is not only physical harm but also to silence broader opposition.

Most political cartoonists report facing threats of violence repeatedly throughout their careers. At Counterpoint, we remain committed to advocating strongly for a point of view without condoning violence.

Most importantly, threats and intimidation will not silence us.

Bill Bramhall - Tribune Content Agency

Rob Rogers- Andrews McMeel

Clay Bennett - Counterpoint Media

Pedro Molina - Counterpoint Media

Jack Ohman - Tribune Content Agency

Walt Handelman - Tribune Content Agency

KAL - Andrews McMeel

Michael Ramirez - Creators

Chip Bok - Creators

Nick Anderson- Tribune Content Agency (and Substack)

Donald Trump entered his second term vowing to be “a peacemaker and unifier”, pledging that US power would “stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent, and totally unpredictable”.

Five months later, that world has become even angrier, more violent, and completely unpredictable—but, hey, at least he's delivering on something.

After promising to end all wars (some within 24 hours!), Trump has instead managed to preside over the unraveling of global stability like a man trying to water an olive branch with Roundup.

His Gaza ceasefire collapsed almost immediately, Ukraine is now facing a bigger Russian offensive, and his “ceasefire” between India and Pakistan seems to have existed mostly in his imagination.

When Israel bombed Iran just hours after Trump urged them not to, his administration insisted it was “unilateral,” until Trump proudly bragged that he was fully briefed and warned things might get “even more brutal.” Coordination!

Meanwhile, Trump’s peace envoy—a real estate developer, naturally—continues to book hopeless flights to Oman to negotiate with Iranians who no longer show up. And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is apparently drawing up plans to conquer Greenland and Panama, because what says peace like surprise invasions?

Of course, Trump still spins it all as masterful dealmaking. Maybe bombing Iran helps the odds of a nuclear deal, he now suggests, in what may be the most “Art of the Deal” interpretation of foreign policy ever attempted.

In short: Trump promised to calm the world. Instead, he’s juggling multiple escalating wars while calling it progress. But if distance from conflict counts as “peace,” then staying in Mar-a-Lago might just be his greatest achievement yet.