Staff Reports
America’s political climate is spiraling into dangerous territory, and recent events only underscore how far the left has drifted from the values that once united this nation. The case of Luigi Mangione, accused of the cold-blooded murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is a glaring example. Instead of universal condemnation, some in the media and on the left have disturbingly glamorized Mangione, treating him as a folk hero simply because his target was a corporate executive. This twisted admiration sends a chilling message: as long as the victim is someone the left deems “undeserving,” the criminal can be celebrated. The real victims—like Thompson’s family—are left to grieve in silence while the left’s culture machine churns out sympathy for the perpetrator.
This isn’t an isolated incident. The arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence is another stark reminder that political violence is escalating, and it’s getting closer to home for public officials. The suspect, Cody Balmer, managed to breach security and set fire to the governor’s mansion, putting Shapiro’s family at risk. Yet, the outrage from the left seems to spike only when their own are targeted, while violence against conservatives is often downplayed or rationalized. The hypocrisy is glaring: the same activists who once preached about peace and tolerance are now silent—or worse, complicit—when violence serves their political narrative.
What’s truly alarming is the growing acceptance of political violence among left-leaning Americans. Recent surveys show a sharp increase in support for violence as a means to achieve political goals, especially among those who are civically engaged on the left. This is not just a fringe phenomenon; it’s becoming mainstream in progressive circles. The left’s rhetoric, which demonizes opponents and glorifies resistance “by any means necessary,” is fueling a climate where extremists feel emboldened to act. When leaders and media figures refuse to unequivocally condemn violence, they are, intentionally or not, giving a green light to those who would take the law into their own hands.
Let’s be clear: violence and threats have no place in a civilized society, no matter who the target is. But the left’s selective outrage and double standards are eroding the very fabric of our democracy. When criminals are turned into celebrities and victims are forgotten, we lose sight of justice and decency. It’s time for leaders on both sides to denounce violence without reservation and to stop excusing it when it’s politically convenient. President Trump, for all the criticism he receives, has consistently called for unity and condemned political violence—something the left would do well to emulate.
As we reflect during this Holy Week, Americans should recommit to the values that made this country great: respect for life, liberty, and the rule of law. The path forward isn’t more radical rhetoric or hero worship of criminals—it’s a return to civil discourse, accountability, and compassion for all victims, regardless of politics. Only then can we hope to restore unity and ensure that America remains a beacon of hope and justice for generations to come.
