Reference News Network, September 13 report: The Spanish website "ABC" published an article on September 11 titled "From the Capitol Riot to the Killing of Kirk: Political Violence Becomes the New Normal in the United States," written by Javier Ansoain. The following is a summary translation:

The murder of Kirk, a key figure rising among Trump's young voters, is another example of the escalating political polarization and increasing political violence in the United States. Political violence is becoming the new normal in this country.

During Trump's turbulent first term, political tensions continued to accumulate. During his campaign for re-election, threats of political violence against officials increased sharply, and tensions further escalated after the defeated candidate accused the election of fraud. Trump's supporters launched a tragic and shameful attack on the U.S. Capitol. However, worrying incidents had already occurred before the election, such as a paramilitary militia group in Michigan plotting to kidnap the state's governor, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer.

The attack on the U.S. Capitol did not lead to national reconciliation. Afterward, Trump's political comeback further intensified public sentiment. During President Biden's tenure, the number of threats against the government continued to rise, as evidenced by attacks on judges and prosecutors involved in prosecuting Trump, as well as events created by opposing political factions, such as the assassination attempt against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whom Trump nominated in 2022.

Kirk was shot on the 10th, at a time when political violence in the United States was further intensifying. All of this began with the event that posed the greatest potential threat to the American democratic system—the attempted assassination of Trump himself at a rally in Pennsylvania.

On the same day Kirk was shot on the campus of Utah Valley University, another suspect who had tried to assassinate Trump, Ryan Routh, appeared in court. In September 2024, he planned to shoot Trump outside his golf club in Florida.

Over the past few months, various acts of political violence have accumulated. Just after Kirk's murder, Trump gave a speech to the nation, blaming the "radical left" for the political violence and promising retaliation, but he said nothing about incidents where Democrats became victims.

The future of American politics is unpredictable, but it looks bleak. Violence begets violence. Information bubbles on social media and the prevalence of firearms exacerbate divisive rhetoric, increase anxiety, and raise the likelihood of bloodshed. Now, the future of the United States and its ability to address political violence seem uncertain. (Translated by Wang Meng)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7549462581937832484/

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