This Is Just The Beginning....

Domestic terrorism in the US has shifted, with incidents linked to far-left extremists outpacing far-right extremists for the first time in decades, while the rise of Christian nationalism and its intersection with politics is also a significant concern.

• Left-wing domestic terror incidents are now outpacing right-wing incidents, reaching a 30-year high.

• Inflammatory political rhetoric comparing government actions to 'Gestapo' tactics contributes to increased political violence.

• Christian nationalism is perceived by some as a democratic threat, while others view it as a spiritual foundation for politics.

New research indicates a notable shift in US domestic terrorism, with far-left extremist incidents now exceeding those from the far-right, a trend that has accelerated since 2016. This is coupled with a growing discourse around Christian nationalism, with critics viewing it as an existential threat to democracy, while proponents see it as a spiritual solution to political divisiveness, emphasizing Christ's teachings as a moral compass for political action.

Rise in Left-Wing Terror

• 00:02:45 For the first time in decades, domestic terrorism in the US has shifted, with incidents linked to far-left extremists outpacing those attributed to far-right extremists. Research from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reveals that left-wing violence has risen significantly in the last 10 years, particularly since 2016, and is on course to exceed any level seen in the previous 30 years, while right-wing violence has sharply declined. This trend occurs amidst political figures like Senator John Fetterman warning that unchecked extreme rhetoric, such as labels like 'Hitler' or 'fascist,' will only ferment more extreme outcomes and political violence.

Rhetoric and Terrorism

• 00:01:29 Certain political rhetoric is identified as a potential catalyst for the rise of terror, particularly the comparison of government actions to 'Gestapo-like behavior' or labeling agencies like ICE as a 'terrorist force.' Such language, which describes agents as 'secret police who are masked, who are intimidating, who are scaring people' or 'coming and kidnapping and disappearing people,' is seen as inflammatory. The definition of terrorism used in the studies is 'the deliberate use or threat of premeditated violence by non-state actors with the intent to achieve political goals by creating a broad psychological impact.'

Christian Nationalism Debate

• 00:04:25 A 'Christian revival' and the rise of 'Christian nationalism' are being discussed, especially in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, which reportedly inspired many young Americans to engage with faith and politics. Critics, including MSNBC and Don Lemon, view this movement, which merges Christianity with specific interpretations of what the founding fathers wanted and ancient philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, and Cicero, as an 'existential threat' to democracy and a 'danger-theocratic movement.' However, proponents argue that combining philosophy, history, and faith is how Western civilization was built and that Christ's teachings provide a clear, written framework to ensure political actions align with true Christian principles, transcending political parties.

Memorial as Mobilization

• 00:08:00 Don Lemon described Charlie Kirk's memorial as 'not just a memorial,' but a 'revival meeting wrapped in a memorial' and a 'political rally dressed as church.' He observed a 'movement claiming divine permission to rule,' with Donald Trump centralizing himself as if in a prophecy, calling Kirk a 'martyr,' and other politicians pledging to continue his mission. This event was perceived as a 'mobilization' of 'religious nationalism on full display,' rather than simple mourning, highlighting concerns that faith is being fused with political ambitions to achieve specific ideological goals.