Political violence in the U.S. is no longer just a distant concern; it’s happening right before our eyes. From assassination attempts to targeted harassment and violent protests, these incidents are unfortunately growing more common. We’ll have a reminder in November to keep this on your radar.
Surveys indicate that a significant number of Americans believe it’s likely that political candidates could be assassinated in the near future. We’ve seen two attempts on President Trump’s life, the shocking murder of Charlie Kirk, and even conspiracies aimed at Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. This troubling trend is often fueled by activist groups that, instead of engaging in dialogue, choose to intimidate their opponents while benefiting from tax-exempt statuses.
If the government truly wants to curb this violence, it must use its legal powers effectively.
It’s high time to put a stop to the exploitation of nonprofit statuses. The federal government has the tools needed and should start with the IRS.
We can’t allow nonprofit organizations to suppress the First Amendment rights of others while rallying extremists under the guise of free speech. We’ve seen coordinated efforts in places like Berkeley, where activists spread flyers depicting the assassination of individuals like Charlie Kirk, labeling those who disagree as “fascists” and openly calling for Trump’s removal.
This isn’t merely a discussion; it’s about enforcement.
The approach of many activists is shifting from persuasion to demanding compliance. Polls show a rising number of younger Americans who think political violence can sometimes be justified. The events in Berkeley illustrated just how this belief can manifest.
The government needs to respond decisively. Drawing from my experience as a former criminal prosecutor and Senate chief of staff, I recognize that crises necessitate strong actions. Protecting the public and upholding the law are fundamental duties of government. Action is overdue.
One simple first step toward dismantling the nonprofit network that enables this violence would be for the IRS to revoke tax-exempt status for organizations that fund or coordinate violent activities. Cutting off their financial resources would take away their power.
Critics might claim this is politically motivated, but that argument doesn’t hold up under close examination.
Let’s consider Antifa, designated as a domestic terrorist organization, yet they still find support through nonprofit structures. This inconsistency is simply unacceptable.
If we want to put an end to political violence effectively, the IRS must play a crucial role. The assassination attempt on President Trump should have been a serious wake-up call. The murder of Charlie Kirk was meant to dispel any remaining myths about the safety of our political climate.
Radical groups are using the nonprofit system to sow discord, using tax-exempt funding to threaten and endanger those exercising their basic constitutional rights.
We must either enforce the laws now or accept that violence will only escalate.
