What should liberals do when an assassin sounds like them?
The article examines whether mainstream liberal rhetoric about threats to democracy under President Trump could inadvertently inspire political violence, as seen in recent assassination attempts by individuals expressing left-leaning grievances. Experts suggest that existential political rhetoric can increase the risk of violence, especially when peaceful resolution seems impossible. However, the article emphasizes that while concerns about democratic erosion are valid, all mainstream liberals reject violence as a response.
- ▪Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, expressed political grievances similar to those of mainstream Democrats.
- ▪Experts warn that framing political issues as existential threats can increase the likelihood of political violence.
- ▪The concept of 'normie extremism' refers to individuals who hold mainstream political views but resort to violence, though it remains unclear if this is a coherent category.
- ▪Both Allen and Ryan Routh, another Trump assassination suspect, expressed concerns about Trump’s impact on democracy, echoing left-leaning critiques.
- ▪The article rejects Republican in bad faith using these incidents to target political opponents while acknowledging the need for responsible liberal rhetoric.
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PoliticsWhat should liberals do when an assassin sounds like them? An evidence-based guide to talking responsibly about Trump’s threat to democracy.by Zack BeauchampMay 4, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCShareGiftA photo of law enforcement detaining the White House Correspondent’s dinner shooting suspect in Washington, DC, on the night of April 25, 2026. US President Trump via Truth Social/Anadolu via GettyZack Beauchamp is a senior correspondent at Vox, where he covers ideology and challenges to democracy, both at home and abroad. His book on democracy, The Reactionary Spirit, was published 0n July 16.
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