Emergency teams work the scene after multiple rapid-fire gunshots ring out near the White House on May 23, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Here we go again – normalizing political violence. Another young person with mental health issues is agitated to violence by anti-Trump rhetoric, killed by Secret Service at the White House, flash in the pan, “new normal.” Only it is not normal.
We are living through a dangerous period – one seeking to condone political violence, encouraging it for anti-constitutional ideologies like anarchism, nihilism, communism, radical Islam, anti-Semitism, various warped, anti-historical mindsets that deny American history, tradition, faith, freedom, work, and basic respect.
History teaches that any society – especially a republic – unmoored from morality that disrespects its own laudable traditions, faith, freedoms, work, and respect is on a downward slope, likely to accelerate into chaos, followed by tyranny.
History is littered with examples, ignored at our peril. Democratic Athens fell to Sparta in 404 BC. The Roman Republic collapsed in 27 BC. Russia fell to the Communists in 1922. The Chinese Republic went Communist in 1949. Italy fell to the fascists in 1922, and Germany in 1933. When morality decays, evil sees a chance and rises.
Plato’s “Republic” warns expressly that a republic that forgets its founding principles, disrespects citizenship and the rule of law, invariably goes to tyranny.
In the 1830s, Alexis De Tocqueville marveled at America – our moral fiber, resolve, self-awareness, but warned: “Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”
These lessons of history and warnings are relevant today. America is special, has an extraordinary history, but is not immune to the onslaught of ideological evil.
How do we protect ourselves then? How do we reclaim respect for each other, our sacred Constitution, exceptional past, tried-and-true norms – and remind each other that we have a constitutional revulsion at political violence for problem solving?
The only way to get back to “what works” is patience and a determination to act in accord with our past, believe the Republic is worth preserving. We need leaders who believe we can reeducate each other – not permit political violence in some cases and revile it in others, but consistently revile it in all cases.
Needed is a rethink about what is acceptable. The polarization of politics, demonization of history, tradition, faith, work, respect for the past, citizenship, borders, freedoms, and family must stop. Our future as a republic depends on it.
A restoration of respect for genuine education – trades, skills, reading, math, science, history, and not activism and fictional genders – plus a return to logic, reason, and understanding the difference between facts and fiction is overdue.
The short story is this. History teaches us, and we must learn quickly. If we do not stop normalizing political violence and elevating the abnormal, we will see everything former Americans fought and died for lost to rank ideological depravity. To save the Republic, we must regain our footing, re-find True North, and follow the compass.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
Democrats have no moral compass, period.
History is a good teacher however we’re bad learners. Politicians seemed to ignore the principles of decency, they can lie, cheat, steal and typically get a pass when the rest of society is held to account. The same goes for inciting violence, politicians specifically democrats are on record for blatantly promoting and often encouraging this type of behavior. Demeaning and demonizing anything that goes against their narrative is their standard goto. They have the mainstream media carrying their poisoned rhetoric to anyone who will listen and they have been effective as evidenced by mobs who share the same mentality. These brainwashed and brain dead people have no problem carrying out political violence because they believe they’re right. Until they wake up, it will be more of the same. Mental illness is a fine line but pretty much defines who these people have become.
RBC, I agree with your last paragraph but history since the beginning of time, continues in the same cycle, over and over and the majority of people keep repeating the cycle. This nation has forgotten what evil is and is following that path to destruction.
I have been a student of history for nearly all of my 72 years. Ever since Communism emerged as a political movement perhaps 150 years ago, the political Left has engaged in violence. Why is that? Well, despite their endless claims to the contrary, regardless of time or location, the political Left rarely has majority popular or voter support. So to achieve their goals, which are power and control, they engage in violence, beginning with threats, going on to small individual acts, then on to group acts, then, if necessary, going to uprising and full-scale revolution. Don’t believe me – get yourself a real history book and read it for yourself. And what’s happening now in this nation is a Leftist movement that is rapidly losing popular support (despite their claims to the contrary) and are turning to ever-increasing levels of violence in their quest to seize control by any means. The motto of the Left, regardless of time or place: Power and control, at any price, at any cost, by any means necessary. Look around and see what is happening.
This bullshit will continue as long as there is uncontrolled immigration and any living liberal!!!
History is an excellent teacher, but for anyone to learn anything it first must be presented , our schools, our teachers do not do that. Kids know how to protest and oppose the present oppressive fascist regime, but have no clue how to read write or count or think for themselves.. They are being led like cattle , unless the drivers are dealt with and their union kicked to hell it will continue. Another lost generation.
Civilization is built upon a foundation of laws. This article makes a great deal of good sense. From the Scout Handbook Sixth Edition First Printing November 1959 – the ideals that make up the Scout Law are being – trustworthy, loyal, helpful , friendly, courteous,kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave,clean and reverent. Those qualities will help to build a society that will function properly. Respect for history will foster respect for truth. Strength is always needed to take a stand to defend principles when those principles are attacked. Mentioning the Scout Law as it is something right to the point, a very basic understanding of how to maintain proper order. In the spirit of Faith, Family and Freedom . This article shows what will be good and right for the United States of America , a great course to follow through stormy political seas.
Regarding the Article: Senate GOP Leaders Pull a Bait-and-Switch With Reconciliation 3.0
All of the Feckless Turncoat RINO Senators need to be evicted from the Senate forever. Vote them out and vote-in Republican Senators who are Statesmen who are America First and detest politicians. God is watching and these Turncoat RINO’s will answer to God for their DECEIT. There Master is Satan who is the Master of Deceit. Cornyn, McConnell, Collins, Thune, Graham and many more need to think about what their Fate In Eternity may be because they are deceitful liars.
we are losing our American greatness and the democ-rats are making it happen with their threats & violence.if there is to be another civil war in this country I know which side I’m on,I know there are only 2 sexes & what party the communists,socialists & progressives are in.
Well said
I am 76 years old and remember our drills in elementary school to get under our desks and if it was a fire drill to march outside the school in an orderly fashion. I remember the Cuban crisis, Vietnam war and everything in between. Now the violence thrown by the Left Democrats, I am scared that our country will see the takeover by these violent lefties. The New York City mayor now wants to take over private citizens’ property for “free housing”. He also promises government run grocery stores – what a loser. New York City will be bankrupt long before his turn ends in 3 1/2 years.
Sometimes I wonder if it isnt already to late for America, that maybe we are already irreversibly circling the drain. Has the democrat party already succeeded in destroying our republic from within? And now they just have to wait for the final bell? One only need look at the teen mobs brazenly taking over entire city blocks and parks, terrorizing law abiding citizens and creating general chaos. And mostly getting away with it. What will these miscreants grow up to be like? Will they welcome the socialist and communist ideals coming out of the hard left and act accordingly? Such is the mindset that this insidious political party has instilled in our youth. America needs to abolish the democrat party as enemies of the people that they obviously have become. And it’s time to bring out our National Guard troops, get aggressive, and start enforcing the laws of the land. And if that means some violent rioters, illegal immigrants, and other nefarious criminal types die in the streets, well that’s just tough shit. FAFO!
If he had mental health issues, he never should have been allowed to own a gun.