‘Enemies of civilization’: top Trump officials attack leftwing activism as 'encroaching darkness'

The conference, convened by Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, and attended by Stephen Miller, a top Trump adviser, and Scott Bessent, the treasury secretary, was billed as a “ministerial on the resurgence of political violence”, but the focus was solely on crushing leftist violence. It came as Donald Trump ramps up his efforts to label his political opponents, and a rising number of politicians identified with the Democratic Socialists of America as “communists”. 

The officials did not mention episodes of rightwing attacks, such as the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/16/political-violence-event-trump-marco-rubio

 

Calling political opponents fascists and mocking victims of political violence

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/U5EaG0XhwOo

 

Far-right Tennessee pastor demands removal of 'Hate Has No Home' signs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM4PML8O3yo

 

Weekly Roundup: Tylenol Trump at the UN + Political Violence (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

This episode of Straight White American Jesus dives into a wide range of pressing issues, from the Trump administration’s controversial advice for pregnant women to avoid Tylenol—driven in part by RFK’s influence despite a lack of scientific support—to the broader political and patriarchal implications for public health. 

The hosts examine how the right manipulates media through distraction and “flooding the zone,” using high-profile events like the murder of Charlie Kirk to bury stories such as the Epstein files. 

They also unpack the escalation of political violence and rhetoric, highlighting the dangerous labeling of teachers and opponents as “terrorists” by figures like JD Vance, Kash Patel, Kristi Noem, and Steve Bannon. Megan Kelly’s dismissive response to an ICE bribery scandal serves as a window into how loyalty now trumps principles, while the erosion of good faith dialogue underscores the deepening polarization tied to identity and ideology. 

Yet, amid the bleak landscape, the episode also points to reasons for hope, from Ryan Walters’ resignation as Oklahoma superintendent to Disney’s challenge of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, offering reminders that pushback and positive change are still possible.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-tylenol-trump-at-the-un-political-violence/

Trump vows to fight political violence, issuing sweeping memorandum - The Washington Post

"And really, it's not close. It's something like 5-to-1 in terms of the number of attacks and deaths that can be attributed to far-right actors as opposed to far-left actors," Jensen said...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/09/25/trump-domestic-extremism-political-violence/ 

 

The Second Amendment is Killing America (Andrew Seidel; One Nation, Indivisible podcast Episode #030)

In the wake of the murder of Charlie Kirk, Andrew explores the meaning of political violence and the toll the Second Amendment is taking. Trigger warning. Guns. Gun Violence. Suicide. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255.

• One of Carl Bogus’s many writings on the Second Amendment 
• Sam Perry’s article in Time 
• Understanding Christian Nationalism Reading List 
• Elie Mystal’s brilliant book

Interview: 

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-23zbf-27849577

Obama Exposes INSANE Charlie Kirk VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__HnYJ2Zkic

 

Obama says Trump deepened US divide in rush to ‘identify enemy’ after Charlie Kirk shooting | Barack Obama | The Guardian

Ex-president says US in ‘dangerous moment’, after White House response to killings of Kirk and Melissa Hortman

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/17/obama-charlie-kirk-political-violence 

 

Charlie Kirk death: Trump wrongly blames the left for rise in political violence | Vox

The uncomfortable truth that Trump tried to paper over in his statement is that in recent American history, the most frequent perpetrators of domestic terrorism have been far-right extremists…

https://www.vox.com/politics/461314/charlie-kirk-death-trump-political-violence-source 

 

Weekly Roundup: The Death and Afterlife of Charlie Kirk (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In this episode, Brad and Dan discuss the life, death, and legacy of Charlie Kirk, examining the media and political reactions to his assassination, the narratives emerging from both the right and left, and the broader context of political violence in America.

They explore Kirk’s influence on conservative and Christian nationalist movements, the controversial rhetoric and actions associated with him and his organization TPUSA, and the tendency of mainstream media to valorize divisive figures after their deaths.

They emphasize their opposition to political violence, reflect on the complexities of online radicalization, and critique the use of free speech rhetoric to silence criticism, while also highlighting recent events and ongoing issues related to violence, democracy, and hope in the U.S. and abroad.
Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-the-death-and-afterlife-of-charlie-kirk/

Charlie Kirk in his own words: ‘prowling Blacks’ and ‘the great replacement strategy’ | Charlie Kirk shooting | The Guardian

The far-right commentator didn't pull his punches when discussing his reactionary views on current events…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/11/charlie-kirk-quotes-beliefs  

Charlie Kirk’s words speak for themselves, I won’t let them make me become them

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2lIVwp7hy0M

 

"A Moment of Great Peril": Jeff Sharlet on Killing of Charlie Kirk

The conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of right-wing student organization Turning Point USA, was assassinated Wednesday as he spoke before a crowd at Utah Valley University as part of a fall campus tour. Kirk was 31 years old and founded Turning Point when he was just 18. A major cheerleader for Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, he was killed by a single shot fired from a roof as he was responding to a question from an audience member about mass shootings. No suspect has been identified. Kirk transformed politics in the U.S., says journalist Jeff Sharlet, by organizing conservative youth around cultural issues including opposition to immigration and civil rights for LGBTQ people, people of color and women. Sharlet, who has written extensively about right-wing and white nationalist movements in the United States, says Kirk's "big issue was singular: It was whiteness." He discusses Kirk's legacy and the implications of this latest high-profile instance of political violence. 

Interview: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEBq2tx2lSM

Charlie Kirk and Political Violence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-kwQjTK5A4

 

The Apostle Assassin (Conspirituality podcast episode #263)

“Dad went to war last night” read Vance Boelter's text to his family in the early hours of June 14. This was sent after his shooting rampage aimed at Democratic lawmakers, which left two dead and two critically wounded.

Turns out Boelter is an ordained pastor in a church associated with the New Apostolic Reformation, which sees the world as a spiritual battlefield and whose leaders have preached that political enemies are possessed by demons.

This is not some small fringe movement. Key figures in the Trump administration are adherents. We revisit this apocalyptic evangelical Christian cult and consider its political violence and religious extremism.
Interview: 

https://www.conspirituality.net/episodes/263-the-apostle-assassin

Weekly Roundup: Iran, the End Times, and Christian Nihilism + Appeal to Heaven Flag at the SBA (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Is Trump Preparing for a Holy War?

In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi examines Donald Trump’s mixed messaging on U.S. involvement in Israel’s conflict with Iran—through the lens of evangelical influence. He unpacks how Christian nationalist leaders frame the conflict as a cosmic battle between good and evil, and how that spiritualized rhetoric could shape Trump’s future actions.

Brad also investigates the growing signs that the ideology behind January 6th is becoming embedded in U.S. institutions—highlighted by the presence of the “Appeal to Heaven” flag at key government sites. He then turns to the media’s uneven response to recent political violence, comparing coverage of two alleged shooters and what it reveals about race, ideology, and public perception.

The episode wraps with updates on military and judicial developments tied to the Trump era—and what they signal about where we might be headed next.
Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-iran-the-end-times-and-christian-nihilism-appeal-to-heaven-flag-at-the-sba/

The Brazen, Absurd, and Dangerous Hypocrisy of JD Vance – Mother Jones

Ponder this: the Republican nominee for vice president commended a book that praised violent dictators and held them up as role models for the American right. By the way, this book was also extolled by Donald Trump Jr. ("teaches us how…to save the West"), Michael Flynn ("exposes their battle plans and offers a fifth-generation warfare system to fight back and win"), and Tucker Carlson ("Jack Posobiec sees the big picture and isn't afraid to describe it.") 

Now Vance, who works for Trump, has the audacity to lecture others on the excesses of political rhetoric? He has demonized and demeaned his foes. He has called for purges. He has acclaimed a book that literally dehumanizes liberals and celebrates fascists who deployed horrific political violence. And there's this: Not long ago, he told fellow conservatives, "The thing we have to take away from the last 10 years is that we really need be really ruthless when it comes to the exercise of power."…

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/09/jd-vance-trump-haitian-immigrants-springfield-ohio-unhumans/

Trump Quickly IMPLODES As Staggering Military Threat Revealed #TDR

Donald Trump quickly descends into madness with unhinged interview with Time Magazine revealing his thoughts on political violence and using the military against civilians in the U.S.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMbt8wqFBV0

Nearly one in four Americans believe political violence justified to ‘save’ US | US politics | The Guardian

PRRI has also been tracking the QAnon conspiracy movement since 2021. Across party lines there has been a significant increase in QAnon believers (from 14% to 23%) and a decrease in QAnon rejecters (from 40% to 29%). Republicans remain twice as likely as Democrats to be QAnon believers (29% v 14%) and are three times less likely to be QAnon rejecters (14% v 43%)...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/25/us-political-violence-justified-survey

Republicans ‘glorify political violence’ by embracing extreme gun culture

"[Commentators] on the right have spent the last few years warning their viewers that vigilante justice might be necessary to keep their families safe – and Kyle Rittenhouse is the poster child for that inflammatory talking point," said Matt Gertz a senior fellow at Media Matters for America, a watchdog group that monitors rightwing media...

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/24/republicans-embrace-extreme-gun-culture