Resistance.org
Antiextremism.org

April 23, 2023

​

Introduction

Political violence is anti-democratic and destructive.  Political violence from any source should be subject to commensurate prosecution and penalties. Authoritarians abroad in Russia, China, Iran, and elsewhere have expressed glee and been emboldened by political violence in the United States. They have represented it as evidence of the failure of democratic governance and open society and have seized upon the opportunity of Western weakness to further oppress their own people and to engage in aggression abroad.

 

Some news and analysis regarding political violence in the United States that have appeared in major U.S. news sources are cited below.  Hyperlinks to each article are included in the reference section.

 

Political Violence on the Right

Trump Refuses to Condemn Russia over Poisoning[1]

Violence on the Political Right[2]

 

The Lies and Ideology that Promote Political Violence

Alexander Solzhenitsyn on Violence and the Lie[3]

False Histories and Ideologies Spur Violence[4]

Riots Arise from Ideology of Violence[5]

Leftist Media’s Ideological Defense of Violence[6],[7]

“Anti-Fascism” Advocates Violence.[8]

The Left Advocates Political Violence

Left Makes Politics a “Secular Religion”[9]

The Left’s Urban Warfare Driven by “Lust for Power”[10]

 

Conspiracy and Coordination of Riots

“Network-Enabled Anarchy: How Militant Anarcho-Socialist Networks Use Social Media to Instigate Widespread Violence Against Political Opponents and Law Enforcement.”[11]

Leftist Groups Call for Nationwide Riots[12]

Leftist Recruiting for Violence[13]

Detroit Sues BLM for “Civil Conspiracy”[14]

Antifa and BLM’s “Organized Terror Attacks”[15]

Organized Riots: Locals and Out-of-Staters[16],[17]

 

Political Incitements to Violence

Leftist Politicians’ Incitements to Political Violence (1), (2), (3), (4).[18],[19],[20],[21],[22]

 

Media Collusion Inciting and Enabling Political Violence

Media Lies and Gaslighting on Leftist Political Violence (1), (2), (3), (4)[23],[24],[25],[26]

Ignoring Violence by the Left and Against Conservatives (1), (2), (3)[27],[28],[29]

 

Refusal to Prosecute or Condemn Leftist Political Violence

Oregon Refuses to Prosecute Leftist Rioters, Police Pull Out (1), (2)[30],[31]

Refusal to Prosecute Leftist Political Violence (1), (2)[32],[33]

Leftist Politicians Refuse to Condemn Leftist Violence (1), (2), (3)[34],[35],[36]

Leftist Prejudice Short-Circuiting Justice[37]

 

Antifa, Black Lives Matter and Marxist Revolution

Murder by Antifa (1), (2)[38],[39]

Antifa Celebrating Murder[40]

Antifa Bombed Federal Courthouses[41]

Portland Antifa Protests Worse than “Normal Criminal Activity”[42]

Violence of the Black Lives Matter Movement[43]

BLM: Attempting to Overthrow America[44]

BLM Protestors’ “Mafia Tactics”[45]

BLM and Antifa: Destroying America[46]

BLM Murders[47]

 

Threats and Intimidation

Leftist Threats of Political Terror[48]

Threats Against Conservatives[49]

Antifa Targets Anti-Crime District Attorneys[50]

 

Subverting Democracy

Political Violence Subverting Democracy[51]

Political Violence is an Attack on America and Democracy[52]

 

The Human Cost of Political Violence

Harm to Black Communities by Leftist Violence[53]

The Human Cost of Pro-Crime Officials[54]

 

Leftist Violence

Violence of the Left (1), (2)[55],[56]

Attacks Against Conservatives (1), (2), (3), (4), (5)[57],[58],[59],[60],[61]

Attacks on Churches[62]

​

References

[1] "Alexei Navalny: Trump refuses to condemn Russia over poisoning.” BBC News, September 5, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54039710

[2] Nichols, Tom.  “The New Era of Political Violence is Here.” The Atlantic, August 15, 2022. https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/08/the-new-era-of-political-violence-is-here/671146/

[3] Solzhenitsyn, Aleksandr. “Lecture for Nobel Prize for Literature, 1970.”   Nobel Foundation, 1974.   https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1970/solzhenitsyn/lecture

[4] Stepman, Jarrett. “How Radical Historian’s Revisionism and Lies Led to 2020’s Unrest.” Daily Signal, September 13, 2020. https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/09/13/how-radical-historians-revisionism-and-lies-led-to-2020s-unrest/

[5] “Jordan Peterson predicts the riots.” Free Speech Club, June 13, 2020 (from Vancouver 2017).      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djSuS1psglQ

[6] Polumbo, Brad. “Debunking NPR’s Bizarre ‘In Defense of Looting’ Interview.: Foundation for Economic Education, August 31, 2020.  https://fee.org/articles/debunking-npr-s-bizarre-in-defense-of-looting-interview/

[7] Wulfsohn, Joseph A. “Maher knocks media's defense of looting, rioting: 'I'm not down' with that.” Fox News, September 11, 2020.  https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/maher-knocks-medias-defense-of-looting-rioting-in-cities

[8] “The Ugly Truth About Modern ‘Anti-Fascism.’”  Fox News, April 19, 2023. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/ugly-truth-modern-anti-fascism

[9] Creitz, Charles. “Barr blasts far left for making politics a 'secular religion,' calls Dems who excuse violence 'cowards.'” Fox News, August 9, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/barr-far-left-politics-religion-democrats-cowards

[10] Halon, Yael. “AG Barr: US facing new form of 'urban guerrilla warfare' driven by left's 'lust for power.'” Fox News, August 9, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/media/bill-barr-urban-guerrilla-warfare-protests-black-lives-matter-democrats-power

[11] Finkelstein, Joel, Alex Goldberg, Sean Stevens, et al. “Network-Enabled Anarchy: How Militant Anarcho-Socialist Networks Use Social Media to Instigate Widespread Violence Against Political Opponents and Law Enforcement.” Rutgers University, September 14, 2020.                   https://networkcontagion.us/reports/network-enabled-anarchy/

[12] Shaw, Adam. “Anti-Trump group calling for nationwide protests gathers in Chicago.” Fox News, September 5, 2020.     https://www.foxnews.com/politics/anti-trump-fascism-nationwide-protests-in-23-cities

[13] Zanotti, Emily. “Bring ‘Tools, Ski Masks, Gloves’: Chicago Police Reveal Social Media Post That May Have Triggered Riots, Looting.” Daily Wire. August 11, 2020. https://www.dailywire.com/news/bring-tools-ski-masks-gloves-chicago-police-reveal-social-media-post-that-triggered-riots-looting

[14] Calicchio, Dom. “Detroit suing Black Lives Matter activists for ‘civil conspiracy’: report.” Fox News, December 23, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/us/detroit-suing-black-lives-matter-activists-for-civil-conspiracy-report

[15] Sharp, Rachel. “Senator Ted Cruz calls riots 'organized terror attacks', slams Black Lives Matter protesters as 'avowed Marxists' and blasts Democrats for 'letting cities burn' ahead of his Antifa hearing.” Daily Mail (UK), August 4, 2020. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8591813/Senator-Ted-Cruz-calls-riots-organized-terror-attacks-ahead-Antifa-hearing.html

[16] Olson, Tyler. “Where are the rioters coming from? Data shows mix of locals and out-of-staters converging on cities.” Fox News, September 2, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/where-are-rioters-coming-from-data-shows

[17] Shaw, Adam. “St. Paul mayor walks back claim that all arrested in riot were from out of state: ‘I take full responsibility.’” Fox News, May 30, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/st-paul-claim-arrest-out-of-state

[18] Halon, Yael.  “Hannity calls out Democrats over 'breathtaking' hypocrisy on inflammatory rhetoric.” Fox news, February 10, 2020.  https://www.foxnews.com/media/hannity-calls-out-breathtaking-hypocrisy-of-democrats

[19] Wallance, Gregory J.  “Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence.” The Hill, September 17, 2020. https://thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/516947-why-democrats-must-confront-extreme-left-wing-incitement-to-violence

[20] “NY police union blames mayor, protesters after deaths of NYPD officers.” CBS News, December 21, 2014. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ny-police-union-blames-mayor-protesters-after-deaths-of-nypd-officers/

[21] Nelson, Joshua. “Former NYPD commissioner blames Mayor de Blasio for violent attacks on officers.” July 16, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/media/former-nypd-commissioner-blames-mayor-de-blasio-for-violent-attacks-on-officers

[22] Haworth, Ian. “Video exposes Democrats who incited violence against conservatives.” Daily Wire, January 18, 2021. https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-video-exposes-democrats-who-incited-violence-against-conservatives

[23] Haworth, Ian. “What Riots? Over 80 Examples Of The Mainstream Media Gaslighting About ‘Protests.’” Daily Wire, September 3, 2020. https://www.dailywire.com/news/what-riots-mainstream-media-gaslighting-protests

[24] Malone, Sean. “The Danger in Media Telling Only Half the Story on Political Violence.” Foundation for Economic Education, November 2, 2018.  https://fee.org/articles/the-danger-in-media-telling-only-half-the-story-on-political-violence/

[25] Ernst, Douglas. “Fiery But Mostly Peaceful Protests': CNN chyron stuns viewers.”  Washington Times, August 27, 2020. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/aug/27/cnns-fiery-but-mostly-peaceful-protests-chyron-as-/

[26] Blitzer, Ronn.  “FBI Director Wray: 'Antifa is a real thing,' FBI has cases against people identifying with movement.” Fox News, 17 September 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-director-wray-antifa-cases-real

[27] Betz, Bradford. “Ivanka Trump slams media for ignoring violence against conservatives.” Fox  News, November 15, 2020.  11/15/2020    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ivanka-trump-slams-media-for-ignoring-violence-against-conservatives

[28] Carlson, Tucker. “Tucker rips lack of coverage of DC mass shooting, claims media silent to help Biden campaign.” Fox News, August 10, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/tucker-carlson-washington-dc-mass-shooting-coverage

[29] Gutfeld, Greg. “Gutfeld on the plea for healing.” Fox News, November 9, 2020.   https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/gutfeld-plea-healing

[30] Saavedra, Ryan. “Oregon State Police Pull Out Of Protecting Portland Courthouse After City Refuses To ‘Prosecute This Criminal Behavior,’ Department Says.” Daily Wire, August 13, 2020.   https://www.dailywire.com/news/oregon-state-police-pull-out-of-protecting-portland-courthouse-after-city-refuses-to-prosecute-this-criminal-behavior-department-says

[31] Aaro, David. “ Oregon sheriffs reject Gov. Kate Brown's request to staff Portland protests.” Fox News, September 1, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/us/oregon-sheriffs-reject-gov-kate-brown-request-staff-portland-protests

[32] Kaplan, Talia. “Chicago alderman calls on state's attorney Kim Foxx to resign: Looters and rioters were 'let go.'” Fox News, August 13, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/us/chicago-alderman-kim-foxx-resign-looting

[33] Parke, Caleb. “Chicago alderman slams state's attorney Kim Foxx for response to looting: 'Too little, too late.'”  Fox News, August 14, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/us/chicago-democrat-kim-foxx-looting-riots-raymond-lopez

[34] Gingrich, Newt. “Chaos in our cities — how politicians are setting up police to fail.” Fox News, July 26, 2020.    https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/chaos-in-our-cities-politicians-setting-up-police-newt-gingrich

[35] Carlson, Tucker. “Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot takes orders from agents of chaos.” Fox News, July 25, 2020.  https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/chicago-protests-tucker-carlson

[36] Saavedra, Ryan. “Biden Fails To Condemn Antifa, Black Lives Matter By Name For Repeated Violence, Seems To Suggest Trump Supporters Responsible For Death Of Right-Wing Protester    Daily Wire, August 30, 2020.  https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-fails-to-condemn-antifa-black-lives-matter-by-name-for-repeated-violence-seems-to-suggest-trump-supporters-responsible-for-death-of-right-wing-protester

[37] “The Fools of Kenosha.” National Review, August 28, 2020. https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/08/kenosha-riots-jacob-blake-shooting

[38] Casiano, Louis. “Portland fatal shooting victim's friend: ‘They executed my partner. They hunted him down.'” Fox News, September 2, 2020.  https://www.foxnews.com/us/portland-fatal-shooting

[39] Stimson, Brie. “Portland's Antifa-supporting gunman appeared to target victim, police say.” Fox News, September 5, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/us/portlands-antifa-gunman-appeared-to-target-victim-police-say

[40] Givas, Nick. “Apparent Antifa member in Portland overheard saying she's 'not sad that a f---ing fascist died tonight,' after Patriot Prayer backer killed.” Fox News, August 31, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/us/i-am-not-sad-that-a-fing-fascist-died-tonight-overheard-at-antifa-gathering-in-portland-after-patriot-prayer-backer-is-shot-to-death

[41] “Barr Shreds Politicians, Media In Testimony: ‘Peaceful Protesters Do Not Throw Explosives Into Federal Courthouses.’” Daily Wire, July 27, 2020. https://www.dailywire.com/news/barr-shreds-politicians-media-in-testimony-peaceful-protesters-do-not-throw-explosives-into-federal-courthouses

[42] O'Reilly, Andrew.  “DHS Secretary Wolf says Portland protests different from 'normal criminal activity.”' Fox News, July 26, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dhs-sec-wolf-says-portland-protests-different-from-normal-criminal-activity

[43] Millière, Guy. “A Will to Overthrow the United States.” Gatestone Institute, July 3, 2020.   https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/16182/overthrow-the-usa

[44] Millière, Guy. “The Attempt to Overthrow America.” Fox News, August 30, 2020. https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/16430/overthrow-america

[45] DeMarche, Edmund. “Cuban business owner in Louisville decries BLM protesters’ demands as ‘mafia tactics.’” Fox News, August 2, 2020.   https://www.foxnews.com/us/cuban-business-owner-in-louisville-decries-blm-protesters-demands-as-mafia-tactics

[46] Kern, Soeren. “Black Lives Matter: "We Will Burn Down This System" - Part II.” Gatestone Institute, August 2, 2020. https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/16301/black-lives-matter-part-ii

[47] Betz, Bradford. “Indiana woman shot, killed after argument with Black Lives Matter supporters, family says.” Fox News, July 13, 2020.  https://www.foxnews.com/us/indiana-woman-shot-killed-argument-black-lives-matter-supporters

[48] Morabito, Stella. “7 Open Leftist Threats That Political Terror Is Coming To America Whether Trump Wins Or Not.” The Federalist, October 26, 2020.    https://thefederalist.com/2020/10/26/7-open-leftist-threats-that-political-terror-is-coming-to-america-whether-trump-wins-or-not/

[49] Flood, Bryan. “CSPAN host silent as caller threatens 'a lot of bloodshed' against Trump supporters.” Fox News, July 27, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/media/cspan-caller-trump-supporters-bloodshed

[50] Nelson, Joshua. “Sacramento DA reacts to Antifa targeting her office: 'This was a planned attack.'” Fox News, September 3, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/us/sacramento-da-reacts-antifa-targeting-her-office

[51] “Devine: Dems have no intention of accepting second Trump term.”                                 https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-trump-election-violence-vote-wapo-miranda-devine-nypost

[52] Carlson, Tucker. “Political violence is an attack on America itself.” Fox News, July 28, 2020.  https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/political-violence-is-an-attack-on-america-itself-tucker-carlson

[53] Stockman, Farah.  “Insurrectionary anarchists” have been protesting for racial justice all summer. Some Black leaders wish they would go home.”  New York Times, September 30, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/opinion/anarchists-protests-black-lives-matter.html

[54] Gingrich, Newt. “Riots, looting, violent crime -- There's a human cost with pro-crime, anti-police prosecutors.” Fox News, September 11, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/riots-looting-violent-crime-prosecutors-newt-gingrich

[55] Sorace, Stephen. “American protests: Demonstrations, violent riots expected to continue throughout the country.” Fox News, July 26, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/us/america-protests-violent-riots-expected-to-continue

[56] Calicchio, Dom. “Trump backers in Sacramento say counter-protesters damaged their vehicles: report.” Fox News, December 6, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/us/trump-backers-in-sacramento-say-counter-protesters-damaged-their-vehicles-report

[57] Fordham, Evie. “Trump supporters face string of attacks in run-up to Election Day: What we know about the suspects.”  Fox News, October 27, 2020.  https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-supporters-attacked-before-election-day-nyc-san-francisco

[58] Singman, Brooke. "House Republicans call for hearings into violence against Trump supporters at MAGA march." Fox News, November 19, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-hearings-violence-against-trump-supporters-maga-march

[59] Singman, Brooke. “House Republicans call for hearings into violence against Trump supporters at MAGA march.” Fox News, November 19, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-hearings-violence-against-trump-supporters-maga-march

[60] Dorman, Sam. “DHS boss Chad Wolf's home targeted by Shut Down DC for leftist 'rally.'”  Fox News, July 26, 2020. https://www.foxnews.com/media/shutdowndc-chad-wolf-protests-home

[61] Betz, Bradford. “Trump supporters hit with fireworks at restaurant after MAGA march, suspect arrested.” Fox News, November 15, 2020.  https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-supporters-hit-with-fireworks-at-restaurant-after-maga-march-suspect-arrested

[62] Richardson, Valerie. “No place for God': Left-wing protesters turn focus to churches as vandalism, arson escalate.” Washington Times, July 15, 2020. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jul/15/black-lives-matter-protesters-turn-rage-churches-r/

[63] “The Ugly Truth About Modern ‘Anti-Fascism.’”  Fox News, April 19, 2023. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/ugly-truth-modern-anti-fascism

[64] Nichols, Tom.  “The New Era of Political Violence is Here.” The Atlantic, August 15, 2022. https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/08/the-new-era-of-political-violence-is-here/671146/