A number of senators are growing concerned that the apparent increase in political violence will be nearly impossible to reverse despite calls from every corner to turn down the national temperature after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk’s killing was the latest in a lengthy string of politically-based attacks against members of both parties in recent years — headlined by the twin assassination attempts against President Trump.
It’s leaving senators to wonder whether anything can be done to fix a problem that’s only getting worse; they worry it may be the new normal.
“What’s so alarming to all of us is it’s getting baked in,” Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said. “It’s getting more and more [immersive]. How do you reverse it? It’s not like you can pass a law to reverse it.”
News of Kirk’s death rocked Capitol Hill, where many Republicans counted themselves among his friends and lauded the movement he helped build as the head of Turning Point USA.
It also marked the latest in a string of high-profile incidents that have sent shock waves through the political ecosystem.
Less than three months before the Kirk shooting, Melissa Hortman, the ex-Speaker of the Minnesota House, and her husband were shot and killed at her home. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) were both friends of Hortman.
In April, a man attempted to burn down the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion while Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and his family were inside.
According to the U.S. Capitol Police, more than 9,400 direct threats and concerning statements were made against members of Congress, their families and staff in 2024 — more than double the amount made in 2017.
The continuous string of events is taking its toll on members, who increasingly feel like they need to keep their head on a swivel, especially while back in their home states where they do not have anywhere close to the same protection afforded while in the Capitol complex.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) worked in a polarizing profession prior to his tenure in the upper chamber, having been an SEC and Big 12 football coach. But in his eyes, there’s no comparison to the political vitriol has only been on the rise.
“This is a blood sport,” said Tuberville, who is running for governor in his home state, about the state of the political scene. “People take people’s lives. I never had life-threatening situations by winning football games. I’ve had several threats on my life since I’ve been here — and it will probably continue.”
The news has also prompted increased chatter about the need for each individual senator to have a security detail. For years, that idea was considered an impossibility given the undertaking needed to protect 100 senators.
That thought is changing.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told reporters there is a pilot program underway to determine the cost of having security details for senators. At present, the top four leaders, Senate Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and a select few other lawmakers are the only ones that have that level of protection.
“Ultimately, every member needs to be protected,” Mullin said, noting discussions are underway for all of them to have security. “With the political environment we find ourselves in, it’s also a sad time that that’s the discussion that has got to happen.”
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) — who was shot in 2011 and has become a leading gun control advocate ever since — told reporters he will have to rethink security and how to hold events moving forward.
Multiple senators noted in the aftermath of the shooting that when they attend events in their home states, there is often little security present, and that if a bad actor wants to do something, there is little stopping them. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) told The Hill that he spoke to about 500 people at an event in North Louisiana over the August recess where it would have been “real easy” to do something.
“There was no security, no metal detectors. It was well-publicized,” Kennedy said. “It’s a risk you take.”
“I don’t have an answer for all this. Nobody has an answer,” Kennedy added about the political violence issue.
To some members, there is plenty of blame to go around. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) argued social media companies, media talking heads and elected officials all deserve a slice of the pie for “fomenting violence.”
Social media giants, in particular, came under fire for the rapid spread of videos of Kirk being shot at the Utah event.
But how to stop the train and ultimately turn it around remains a major question that is vexing lawmakers.
“I think it is hard,” Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said, noting the frequency violence against politicians has skyrocketed since 2015. He argued the accessibility of guns is playing a role.
“The number of instances is growing,” he continued. “It’s a very tough thing to deal with.”
