Political Violence Surges as the Use of Force Becomes Mainstream
The weekend’s apparent attempted murder over the weekend of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro with an arson attack is, unfortunately, only part of the wave of political violence sweeping over the country. Recent months have seen assassinations and attempted killings, attacks on political headquarters, arson against Tesla cars and dealers, and other acts that make it clear that some people have gone beyond hardened political hostilities to assaults on people and property. Worse, Americans—especially those on the political left—seem increasingly open to violence as a means of settling ideological disputes.
Political Violence Is ‘Becoming Far Too Common’
“Last night we experienced an attack not just on our family but on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania here at the governor’s residence,” Governor Shapiro, a Democrat, said after the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg was set ablaze with Molotov cocktails. “We don’t know the person’s specific motive yet, but we do know a few truths. First, this type of violence is not okay. This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society, and I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another.”
We’ve since learned more about Cody Balmer, who has been charged with the attack. He hates Shapiro, and before the attack “appeared to share anti-capitalist and anarchist posts on his Facebook,” according to the U.K.’s The Times. Those included “a picture of an embroidery hoop featuring a hand-stitched flaming Molotov cocktail and the words ‘Be the light you want to see in the world.'” The attack occurred at the beginning of Passover and Shapiro is Jewish, though it’s unknown if that played a role.
Balmer also appears to be mentally unwell. That’s not uncommon for people who try to set the world to their vision of right by hurting or killing people who disagree with them.
From Torching Teslas to Swatting
The choice of incendiary devices for the attack is a trendy one at the moment. An Albuquerque man, Jamison Wagner, was arrested and charged this week in connection with attacks on the headquarters of the Republican Party of New Mexico and a Tesla dealership.
Tesla vehicles and properties have been popular targets since Tesla head Elon Musk helped establish the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut government size and expense. Tesla superchargers have been torched
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