Columbia News

Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) has called on the Department of Justice to investigate what he describes as a growing problem of left-wing political violence in the United States. This request comes after Attorney General Bondi indicated earlier this week a willingness to consider such an investigation during an appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In his letter, Senator Schmitt thanked Attorney General Bondi for her openness at the hearing and reiterated his concerns about the current state of political violence in the country. He stated, “Thank you for recently appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee for the Department of Justice’s annual oversight hearing. I appreciated your candor and transparency. During my questioning, I discussed the epidemic of political violence that besets our nation today. One troubling aspect of this crisis is the lack of clear and objective data on the issue. To that end, for the purpose of assisting us in crafting legislative solutions, I am following up on your agreement to have the Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation produce a comprehensive report on Left-wing political violence in the United States to inform Congress and the American people about the extent and gravity of this crisis.”

Senator Schmitt referenced several incidents as evidence for his claims, including what he called an assassination and various high-profile events over recent years. He wrote: “Charlie Kirk’s assassination was not an isolated attack. Instead, it is the latest example in a spate of far-Left political violence that has spiraled into a crisis in recent years. The media and academia continue to lie to the American people and deny the reality of political violence from Leftists. They try to portray it as a ‘both sides’ problem—and even that the right is the font of political violence. Those claims are false.”

He continued: “To support that false narrative, the Left needs the American people to disbelieve their own eyes and ears. But the American people remember the congressional baseball shooting, where a Leftist didn’t start shooting until he was sure Republicans were the ones on the field. The American people remember wave after wave of BLM riots across the country that destroyed neighborhoods and livelihoods, caused at least $1 billion in property damage, injured more than 2,000 police officers, and killed many Americans. They remember the 2020 ‘Summer of Love’ riots from Antifa. They remember the ‘Jane’s Revenge’ firebombing and vandalism campaign after the Dobbs draft leak, and the assassination attempt against a sitting Supreme Court justice. They remember two attempts on President Trump’s life. They remember pro-terrorist mobs that took to streets after Hamas’s October 7th atrocities. They remember pro-Hamas riots and encampments at college campuses across country... And now they remember assassination Charlie Kirk.”

Schmitt expressed concern about how these incidents might affect public debate: “In wake sustained Left-wing violence many Americans may be hesitant exercise their free speech rights thoroughly debate ideas public square... One government’s central purposes secure people’s natural rights—like freedom speech—from deprivations by violent actors... Before Congress can do so must have full appraisal facts... therefore request DOJ FBI create public report on Left-wing political violence United States inform Congress American people about extent this crisis.”

Among his requests were calls for federal agencies to provide detailed accounting on left-wing political violence over past decade; review investigations previously excluded from domestic terrorism database; examine ideological motivations behind each case; catalog intimidation tactics such as doxxing or SWATting; analyze structure funding networks related groups like Antifa; reassess classification criteria used by law enforcement; summarize current responses DOJ/FBI under present leadership; highlight efforts or lack thereof by previous officials; offer recommendations aimed at curbing further acts.

The full text letter is available online.