Reveal Charlie Kirk and Trump's Looming Political Crackdown
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Sep 17, 2025 Mark Follman, National Affairs Editor at Mother Jones and author of 'Trigger Points', dives into the unsettling rise of political violence in America, sparked by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He discusses the misinterpretation of motives in violent acts and the troubling direct correlation between political rhetoric and violence. Follman also critiques the Trump administration's defunding of crucial prevention programs and examines the dangerous normalization of such violence in our digital landscape, especially through social media.
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Violence Fits An Escalating National Trend
- The assassination of Charlie Kirk fits a larger, escalating trend of political violence in the U.S.
- Rapid politicized reactions risk turning tragedy into further escalation rather than seeking facts.
Rush To Political Blame Is Dangerous
- Immediate political blame before facts fuels division and can provoke more violence.
- Mark Follman warns top leaders, by stoking cultural war, increase risk rather than calming the nation.
Motives Often Remain Unclear Early On
- People crave immediate explanations after mass attacks, but motives are often unclear and complex.
- Quick political narratives often override forensic realities in the first 24–48 hours.
