The Increasing Surge of Political Violence: A Call for Exclusive Armed Forces and Additional Insights

Conservative Perspective: The Rise of Political Violence

The recent murder of Brian Thompson is a stark reminder of the growing instances of political violence, which has included assassination attempts, riots, protests filled with intimidation, and bomb threats, as explored by Charles Fain Lehman at The Free Press. This trend is not unprecedented; the late 1960s and early 1970s experienced similar turmoil. However, political violence became almost unthinkable afterward because society stopped justifying it. The violence of the 1960s was quelled by the National Guard and the FBI’s focus on extreme left groups, indicating that intervention can curb such actions without necessarily addressing deeper societal causes. Essentially, whenever someone states, ‘violence is never justified, but…’ they inadvertently encourage the very violence they claim to condemn.

Defense Desk: The Exclusive Nature of the Armed Forces

As noted by Navy veteran Hung Cao at RealClearPolitics, “Less than 1% of our nation has ever served in the armed forces, rendering the U.S. military an exclusive entity.” Recently, a judge declared that the race-conscious admissions policy of the U.S. Naval Academy did not breach the Supreme Court’s decision limiting affirmative action. “During my time in combat and special operations, I never once considered the racial background of my fellow servicemen. The military shouldn’t be a venue for social experimentation; we have the critical duty of safeguarding our nation.” It’s vital for President Trump’s new military leadership to revert the trend of declining military readiness. “Our primary mission is to defend the nation and uphold peace, necessitating a unified and exclusive team.”

From the Right: Government Influence on Banks

According to Allysia Finley of The Wall Street Journal, it’s essential to “avoid blaming the banks” for the unexplained cancellations faced by tech entrepreneurs, Melania Trump, and others—they’re simply responding to government pressure. The Bank Secrecy Act compels banks to monitor clients and report any suspicious activities, or else they risk substantial penalties. This results in a wealth of reports for the FBI to investigate without a warrant, a tactic previously used by the Obama administration to limit banking options for disfavored enterprises. Why did Mrs. Trump and others lose their banking privileges? Because FBI agents encouraged banks to report on ‘suspicious’ individuals to gather more financial information linked to the January 6 Capitol incident. When the government makes suggestions, they often come across as mandates.

Culture Critic: Assessing the Assassination Reaction

The recent arrest of Luigi Mangione for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson serves as a crucial indicator of America’s moral compass—one that many seem to have failed, argues Matthew Continetti from the Washington Free Beacon. Prominent figures within the anti-corporate progressive Left have interpreted this shocking event as what they deem a ‘teachable moment,’ simplifying the situation to a struggle between victim and oppressor while rationalizing the actions of perceived victims as justified resistance. However, the moment you disregard morality, you risk justifying terrorism—leading to nihilism and self-destruction. This lesson echoes through history, from the Jacobins to al-Qaeda, and it is chilling that some Americans might follow this dark path due to dissatisfaction with health insurers.

Blue-Collar Beat: The Flaws in Bidenomics

City Journal’s Judge Glock contends that Bidenomics is designed to benefit a highly educated elite rather than blue-collar workers and those with modest incomes. The initiatives surrounding student-loan forgiveness and climate spending favor industries with higher-educated employees. Additionally, efforts to increase union power have not swayed the working class, as modern unions are often more aligned with white-collar workers rather than traditional manual laborers.

— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board