The Left is Violent | Change My Mind

Political violence in the United States is overwhelmingly perpetrated by and supported by the left, driven by demonizing rhetoric from Democratic leadership and exacerbated by soft-on-crime policies, leading to an unsafe environment for conservatives.

• Political violence is disproportionately from the left, supported by a majority of liberals, and targets conservatives.

• Democratic leadership's rhetoric comparing conservatives to 'fascists' directly incites violence and is not mirrored by the right.

• Solving political violence requires accountability from the left, stricter crime policies, and a return to religious morality to address the root causes of societal issues.

Political violence is predominantly coming from the left in the United States, a trend observed and asserted by the host of 'Change My Mind'. This is evidenced by various attacks on conservatives, polls showing higher acceptance of political violence among liberals, and a perceived celebration of such acts by some on the left. The host argues that this violence stems from left-wing rhetoric that demonizes conservatives and is compounded by dishonest media reporting and lenient justice policies.

Defining Political Violence

• 00:04:11 Political violence is defined as the use of violence as a tool to achieve a political end, such as running someone over due to their political affiliation. It is distinct from non-political crimes committed by individuals who happen to hold political beliefs, emphasizing the specific motive of seeking socio-political change or communicating a message to an outside audience.

The Rise of Left-Wing Violence

• 00:05:00 There is a premise that political violence in 2025 is largely originating from the left and is not proportionate to violence from the right, necessitating significant security measures for public conservative figures. The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a non-elected public figure, is cited as a clear example of politically motivated left-wing violence intended to instill fear in political opposition.

Data on Political Violence Acceptance

• 00:12:28 Polls conducted after events like Charlie Kirk's assassination and the attempted assassination of Donald Trump indicate a significant disparity in the acceptance of political violence. A Yuggov poll revealed that 62% of liberals found political violence 'somewhat to completely acceptable,' compared to only 77% of conservatives who said 'not at all.' These statistics, also supported by Reuters polls, suggest a higher propensity on the left to justify violent acts.

Dishonest Data Reporting

• 00:26:15 Left-leaning sources are accused of deliberately presenting dishonest data by omitting clear acts of left-wing political violence, such as the assassination of Aaron Danielson or the George Floyd riots, while mislabeling other incidents. This selective reporting, fueled by authors with a clear anti-conservative bias, serves to victim-blame the right and create a false narrative about the origins of political violence.

Root Causes and Solutions

• 00:31:51 The host proposes a two-fold solution: the left's leadership must take accountability, tone down rhetoric that labels conservatives as 'fascists' or 'Nazis,' and states need to implement stricter crime policies, such as eliminating no-cash bail for serious felonies. Additionally, conservatives are urged to adopt 'ruthless, lawful self-defense' to deter further attacks, as current grace is seen as unwarranted and enabling.

Atheism as a Root Problem

• 00:58:01 Political violence is considered a symptom of a deeper problem: the decline of religion and the rise of atheism, which, combined with government intervention, forms the basis of Marxism and socialism. The lack of belief in God leads to a rejection of objective morality, allowing for ideologies that are seen as 'deeply anti-good' and result in policies like abortion without limits, child genital mutilation, and parental rights infringements.