Hello, readers.
Welcome to State of the Day. I assure you, no jokes here.
I’ll just be straightforward.
Guess what happened when I got home last night?
The FBI came to my house yesterday.
I found their card stuck in our screen door.
“[Full Name Redacted] Special Agent, Washington Field Office.”
There was a little note at the bottom that read, “Cell is on your back →”.
When I returned the call, my wife and kids hurried out of the car. My wife knows me well enough to recognize when I’m on a serious call, so she just went inside, leaving me to handle it alone.
After about a dozen rings, the agent finally came out. In my line of work, I’ve interacted with the FBI numerous times—for stories and security clearances—but this felt different. She had shown up at my house unannounced.
“We wanted to inform you that we’ve filed a lawsuit because someone on TikTok shared your address,” she explained.
She mentioned that the post was reported and taken down, but someone still reached out to alert the department. When I asked if they could access an archived version of the post, she confirmed they could. According to her, it involved a “call to violence,” and I should also be aware of it.
About this post and the New York Times coverage of it.
“Do you ever look into the victims?” I asked. “Do you even know what I do?”
“I’m aware you’re a journalist, right?” she replied. “We don’t typically investigate the victims.”
I suppose that makes sense. I’m sure I’ve been mentioned in a fair number of FBI reports by now. It’s not that hard to profile someone in their system. But their usual protocol doesn’t seem to include checking on the victims.
“If anything happens, just call 911 immediately,” she advised.
One thought crossed my mind: calling 911 could mean I’d end up helping someone in dire need right outside my door.
“I will,” I responded. “This isn’t the first time the extreme left has published my address.”
I mentioned that I had served in the military and that all the adults in our home are knowledgeable about firearms. My wife later winced when I brought that up again.
But it’s true; it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
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Let me clarify a few things.
First, it’s essential to understand how the media operates. It’s somewhat like a game of telephone.
I initially wrote the original post as a sort of “call for violence,” advocating for self-defense in a context where conservatives might not expect justice if they are attacked. The New York Times reported on this in a rather disreputable manner, undermining my original message. Charges were dismissed regarding a brutal attack on a pro-life journalist and a conservative debater at a university.
When this gets circulated by bloggers and columnists, it often morphs into “Jeff Ingersoll just wants to attack anyone who disagrees with him.”
While I find that portrayal amusing, it’s far from reality.
Above all, I hope for a society where people can share their views without the fear of violent backlash.
In essence, I wouldn’t dream of lashing out at liberals at first. (Ironically, my own mother was quite the liberal and really liked Keith Olbermann back in the day. Not entirely free Olbermann, but you get the idea.)
Second, it’s clear we’re losing our polite social fabric.
Universities cite “safety concerns” as reasons to prevent conservative speakers from engaging with students, yet they don’t specify where those concerns originate. Individuals associated with pro-life issues, conservative commentary, and college Republican groups often face violence and are left without recourse.
There are a couple of ways to restore this sense of civility, both involving a level of assertiveness.
The hope is local leaders, attorneys, and law enforcement will enforce the law as it’s written, without bias.
However, when that doesn’t happen—whether due to ineffective policies or corrupt law enforcement aligning with violent groups—public trust in the system erodes.
When that trust weakens, people feel compelled to take justice into their own hands.
—
Have you ever thought about the consequences of, say, bothering Taylor Swift backstage? How many stitches would it take if you found yourself cuffed to a hospital gurney?
Beyond facing serious action from private security, could law enforcement also step in with arrests? Is there anyone who gets this? Will there be demands for accountability from those in charge of her security? Should Swift merely apologize? Will she face charges?
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Another potential path to restoring civility would be for conservatives in liberal areas to defend themselves, even if it means resorting to violence. In fact, responding with overwhelming force against a hostile crowd intent on inflicting harm may even be a form of civil disobedience.
A significant dilemma for liberal leaders: Should they pursue charges against those who act in self-defense or against the rioters? As more turmoil erupts, elected officials may start to feel mounting pressure.
Will law enforcement finally crack down? Or are we looking at prosecuting conservatives for actions that seem to be legally justified?
The situations with Daniel Penny and Kyle Rittenhouse come to mind. In both cases, liberal institutions attempted to penalize them precisely because they acted in self-defense.
In my view, until it becomes easy and safe for conservatives to express their views in this divisive political environment, it’s crucial for someone to tackle the challenge of restoring civility.
It’s either us or the nation that suffers.
If it were up to us, I promise you, it would be challenging.
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My only regret
During the lead-up to the American Revolution, John Adams lived just 16 miles from the chaos in Boston.
This, in many ways, likely fueled his urgency in pushing for action at the Continental Congress. His family could literally hear the cannon fire.
I’m not mentioning this to compare my issues with Adams’. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Although the thought of my beliefs leading to threats against my family is distressing, those threats don’t compare to what has come before.
It frustrates me to think that my wife and innocent kids bear the brunt of intimidation meant for me. So perhaps I can empathize, even if just a little.
But these threats only motivate me further.
What I am reading
Speaking of declining trust, Emily Kopp discusses a recent situation.
FDA remained silent as internal reports about Tylenol’s potential risks piled up
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The remarkable Mary Luke.
Luke: Teenagers standing outside polling places seeking assistance from adults.
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Did Ro Khanna actually make an appearance on Rebelcast? Hit that click button!
Why are Democrats suddenly taking an interest in Epstein? Congressman Ro Khanna elaborates.
