The Horror in Our Streets: When Violent Rhetoric Becomes Deadly Reality.
Over the last 10 years America has normalized violent political rhetoric from Trump and MAGA and now, it's costing innocent people their lives.
The weekend brought a chilling validation of warnings too long dismissed: the insidious link between dehumanizing rhetoric and horrifying violence. We've watched a right-wing authoritarian movement, cloaked in self-righteousness, escalate its tactics from cruel policy to outright terror. The tragic events—the murder of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the wounding of Representative John Hoffman and his wife Yvette by Vance Boelter—are not isolated acts. They are a horrifying manifestation of a radicalized ideology taking root, pushing our nation to a precipice.
Pictured above slain Minnesota State House Representative Melissa Hortman (right) and Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman (left) who was wounded alongside his wife Yvette in the attack on Saturday 6.14.25.
For decades, the grave warnings from marginalized communities about the rise in violent rhetoric have been met with dismissal. When immigrants, people of color, or transgender individuals were demonized, the concern was often intellectualized, not internalized as an urgent threat. Now, with ICE agents and military forces seemingly "unleashed" and even a sitting U.S. Senator like Alex Padilla subjected to violence, the truth is undeniable: if they can go after a powerful elected official, who is truly safe? The silence from many, the lack of a collective objection, has created a vacuum where the most extreme elements flourish.
Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old white man with a hit list of 70 Democratic officials and institutions, impersonated a police officer before executing his heinous acts. Yet, despite killing two people and wounding two others, Boelter was apprehended alive and unscathed. This stark contrast with the fate of countless unarmed Black individuals—Tamir Rice, John Crawford, Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, Mike Brown, Eric Garner—is not just an unfortunate coincidence. It is a glaring testament to the enduring presence of white privilege within the justice system, even in cases of premeditated murder and domestic terrorism. The question arises: if law enforcement can exercise such restraint and caution with a white murderer, why is deadly force so readily applied to Black and Brown bodies, often for minor infractions or perceived threats? The answer, as consistently pointed out, lies in a deeply ingrained, often conscious, bias that dehumanizes certain complexions while humanizing "one of their own."
This escalation of violence is inextricably linked to the unchecked spread of conspiratorial media and radicalized political figures. Boelter, a self-proclaimed "very conservative" Infowars fan and staunch Trump supporter, embodies the dangerous fusion of online extremism and real-world action. Alex Jones's Infowars, a notorious purveyor of baseless conspiracy theories—from Sandy Hook being a "false flag" to Joe Biden being a clone—has not only been a source of radicalization but has become a mainstream force within the modern Republican Party. The fact that 80% of Republican voters reportedly believe the "Big Lie" that Donald Trump won the 2020 election demonstrates the pervasive influence of this disinformation ecosystem.
The complicity extends to the highest echelons of power. Donald Trump's consistent incitement of violence against political rivals, his promises to cover legal fees for those who "rough up" protestors, and his open mockery of opponents have set a dangerous precedent. The January 6th insurrection, directly fueled by his rhetoric, saw individuals motivated by white Christian nationalism storming the Capitol, seeking to assassinate political figures. Trump has since pardoned violent insurrectionists and even compensated the family of Ashley Babbitt with $5 million of taxpayer dollars, effectively rewarding politically motivated violence.
The legislative branch, too, has its accountability to bear. While Black and Palestinian members of Congress are censured for speaking truth to power, figures like Senator Mike Lee face no repercussions for openly mocking the murder of a colleague, pinning posts that blame "Marxists" for the violence committed by a right-wing zealot. This selective application of "decorum" reinforces the notion that violent rhetoric from the right is permissible, even when it directly inspires bloodshed.
Furthermore, new polling data highlights the deep entrenchment of radical views. A recent Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) poll reveals that 78% of Republicans, and 65% of white Christian groups, favor the deportation of undocumented immigrants to foreign prisons without due process. This stark contrast to the 10% of Democrats who support such measures underscores the growing chasm of values and the alarming embrace of authoritarian principles within a significant segment of the electorate.
When a sitting president, current elected officials, and influential media figures consistently demonize opponents, promote conspiracy theories, and refuse to condemn violence, they are not merely speaking. They are providing the ammunition and standing to the side as the chaos erupts. The "terror" is intentional: to cow dissent, to make citizens "bend the knee," to silence voices and prevent assembly. The fact that "No Kings" rallies in Minnesota, despite an active shooter manhunt and official warnings, still saw spontaneous public defiance, offers a glimmer of hope. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who refuse to be terrified into silence.
This is not a time for hand-wringing or feigned ignorance. This is a time to connect the dots, to confront the deeply rooted issues of white supremacy and greed that continue to fuel violence, and to demand accountability from all who contribute to this climate of terror. The fight for democracy, for genuine safety, and for liberty must be waged now, because the alternative is a descent into a reality where NO KINGS will truly mean no freedom for anyone.
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