Vulnerability of Lawmakers and Political Violence
When America is the main topic in a conversation, most would assume it is for the talk of patriotism. But no one would assume that the country is concerned about violence regarding politics.
According to the latest poll of Politico-Morning Consult, eight in ten Americans are concerned about political violence in the United States. Eighty-three percent think that social media platforms, news outlets, and former President Donald Trump are factors to blame for political violence. The most recent political violence that has both parties condemning one another involves the attack on the Capitol, and on Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi.
On January 6th, 2021 a mass of Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. to try and prevent a Congress session from counting the electoral college votes in the 2020 Presidential campaign. The supporters gathered under false information spread by President Trump that the “radical left” democrats had stolen the 2020 elections. This attack eventually led to 5 deaths with an unknown number of injuries. There have been ongoing public hearings in investigating and charging those who participated in the insurrection of the Capitol. Almost a thousand people have been arrested and there are still others out there, that are being encouraged to help identify them.
While the attack on the Capitol was a major disruption in our relations with the government and its people, the attack on Paul Pelosi, was a more targeted incident.
Paul Pelosi, Speaker of the House husband, was attacked by an intruder that brought a hammer with him into Pelosi’s home. According to police, the intruder was asking for Nancy, yelling “where is Nancy.” A comment that was unmistakable in the attack on the Capitol. After the break-in, Paul Pelosi was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery to treat a fractured skull, suffering other injuries as well. Nancy was in Washington D.C. when the attack happened. The intruder was recognized as David DePape. Mr. DePape is a forty-two-year-old Canadian citizen with a history of mental health issues and drug abuse. It was also reported he had a list of other “potential victims” following and supporting various online groups such as QAnon and Pizzagate.
However, these are not the first acts of political violence that have happened in our country. From Rand Paul to Gabby Giffords and Steve Scalise, attacks on official government lawmakers no matter your party or status is something that is only going to get worse. These attacks have raised concern and fear among others who are or are associated with the government.
