A Call for Calm

Ryan Heshmati

July 19, 2024

The act of political violence perpetrated by Thomas Matthew Crooks at the July 13th Pennsylvania rally for Former President Trump’s 2024 campaign is a frightening example of the risks that division, extremism, and hyperbolic rhetoric pose to the United States. While Trump survived with only a bullet grazing his ear, a supporter at the rally, Corey Comperatore, was fatally shot by 20-year-old Crooks. In addition to Comperatore’s tragic death, two others were shot but fortunately not killed.

After the assassination attempt on the former president, President Biden asserted, “You know, the political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It’s time to cool it down. And we all have a responsibility to do that.” While Biden is not particularly popular with Americans at the moment, politicians and constituents should heed his call to reduce tensions in the political atmosphere.

Demonization and vilification of political opponents are unhelpful. Such rhetoric only serves to embolden extremists, laying the groundwork for unrest. A recent PBS NewsHour/Marist poll offers troubling insight into the country’s temperature, finding that 20% of adults feel that Americans may have to resort to violence to move the country “back on track.” That 20% figure is an incredibly concerning statistic; no Americans should look to violence as an answer to political disagreement. However, after years of heated tensions perpetuated by harsh rhetoric, it should not surprise political leaders. While politicians feel they need to energize voters to encourage them to vote, enhancing division is not the correct means of doing so.

After witnessing the horrific scene that was the July 13th assassination attempt, Americans must slow down and recognize that the hatred and division have gone too far. Political differences must be resolved with ballots, not bullets. We must respect each other regardless of whether we agree on political issues because, ultimately, every American wants to make this country better. We must listen to each other and work together. Our Congress could certainly benefit from more of that! 

The country moves forward toward election day on November 5th at a time of incredible uncertainty. Who will be the Democrats’ candidate? How will the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling impact ongoing litigation? It is the responsibility of elected officials and candidates to not only call upon but also foster an environment for Americans to recognize their differences and come together as one nation despite them. Emotions surrounding elections, especially one as unprecedented as this one, are normal. Passion is a positive, but it should not explode into hatred and violence.