With the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, concerns regarding the dramatic uprising in politically motivated violence have been increasing. Kirk was a right-wing speaker who would frequently express his far-right views at events he would hold at universities across the nation. During the event at Utah Valley University, he was tragically shot and killed approximately 20 minutes into his presentation. The bullet casings found at the scene had taunting slogans carved on them referencing various political stances that Kirk had discussed.
However, this is not the only case of political violence that has occurred in the last year. Notably, President Donald Trump, during his campaign for the presidency in Pennsylvania, was shot at and struck in the ear on July 13, 2024. The shooter had previously posted about his pro-Biden immigration policy stance on social media and had donated a sum of money to a voter turnout group that was frequently used by Democrats and progressives.
In another example, Democratic Representative of Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, and her husband were fatally shot and killed in what Governor Tim Walz called a “politically motivated assassination.” The same perpetrator additionally shot and wounded Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in another home invasion. Officials found a list of individuals involved in Minnesota’s government who had democratic values in the shooter’s car, confirming the political motivations of the attacks.
It is important to note that assassinations are not the only form of political violence that has risen in this country. For instance, on May 22, 2025, Yaron Lishinsky and Sarah Milgram, two employees of the Israeli Embassy, were shot and murdered in Washington, D.C. Sources believe this to be a politically motivated attack not only on the Jewish community but on the United States’ current stance on conflicts regarding Israel.
Presently, political violence is at its worst since the late 1960s. Since Jan. 9, there have been at least 300 instances of political violence, making it the largest surge since 1960. However, the question is: why?
One possible reason is the increased radicalization of political parties and individual ideologies within said parties. “Intense partisanship has turned into partisan violence,” says Josh Marcus, a writer for the San Francisco Independent. Following Kirk’s death, parties have been pointing fingers at one another over the protection of the Second Amendment and alleged leftist radicalism.
Lilliana Mason, Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University, shed light on other possibilities. “If people who lead us are using violence or dehumanizing rhetoric, then it’s a signal to their supporters that violent rhetoric is acceptable, and that violent action might be acceptable,” says Mason.
The current political climate has caused great concern for universities. Typically, university students are more susceptible to political radicalism as a result of the period of personal development and formation of personal beliefs found in college-aged individuals. Secondly, the university environment promotes critical thinking and passion, which in some cases can turn into radicalization. Lastly, college-aged students are active on social media and are a large percentage of the voter group, thus making them targets and consumers of politically backed material. (However, it must be noted that not all university students are political radicals; they are simply more susceptible to radicalism.) Historically, universities have been the target of political violence and political radicalism, such as the Vietnam protests and killings at Kent State University and Jackson State University in 1970.
There is fear in the modern day of such events occurring again and history repeating itself on campuses across the nation, landmarked by the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley. It is encouraged that students remain safe in these times of uncertainty, remain non-violent and be aware of the current political landscape of today.
Rachel Evazians is a first year who is undecided.
