Urgent Call to Condemn Political Violence and Extremist Rhetoric

I am writing to demand that you publicly condemn the extremist rhetoric coming from some conservative leaders and media outlets, including Fox News. Following the recent attack on Charlie Kirk, it is clear that even before the shooter was identified, certain leaders and commentators were making statements suggesting violence against political opponents. This is unacceptable. Fox News host Will Cain announced Charlie Kirk’s death on “The Will Cain Show” and offered emotional tributes to him, describing Kirk as “one of one” and praising his legacy. Additionally, Wisconsin Representative Derrick Van Orden began a stream of increasingly unhinged social media posts blaming Democrats and the media for the murder and declaring “the gloves are off.” Jumping to conclusions about groups of people based on the actions of a single individual and promoting violent rhetoric is dangerous, divisive, and completely inappropriate. No elected official should be allowed to encourage or imply harm toward those who disagree with them politically. In past cases, such as the assassination of Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman, extremist acts were met with silence or mischaracterization by some in the press—this double standard must end. As representatives of all your constituents, you have a duty to reject violence and hold leaders accountable. I urge you to issue a clear, public statement affirming that political violence will never be tolerated and that leaders and media outlets who spread or condone threats must be held responsible.