Hub Podcasts The left's political violence problem: From Charlie Kirk to Luigi Mangione
Sep 18, 2025
Discussions revolve around the left's challenges with political violence following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The hosts explore the far-left's lack of self-policing and how certain ideologies may endorse violence as a form of resistance. They warn against the danger of heroizing figures like Luigi Mangione on campuses, asserting it could radicalize youth and incite retaliatory violence. A strong emphasis is placed on the need for progressive leaders to unequivocally denounce violence rather than rationalizing it.
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Problem Exists But State Power Is Risky
- Sean Speer believes there is a political-violence problem on the left that is being under-emphasized by commentators.
- He warns against using state power to prosecute speech, favoring civil-society responses instead.
Defend Speech, Confront Ideas
- Defend free speech even when it offends by preferring dispute through ideas rather than prosecution.
- Use civil-society mechanisms to confront bad ideas rather than expanding criminal enforcement.
Left Lacks Self-Policing Gatekeepers
- Sean argues the left lacks the same self-policing elites that restrain excesses on the right.
- He notes progressive elites often lead radicalizing trends, leaving few on the left to call out dangerous behavior.