Columbia News

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, has announced the witnesses for an upcoming hearing focused on politically motivated violence. The hearing, titled "Politically Violent Attacks: A Threat to Our Constitutional Order," is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. ET.

The witnesses set to testify include Michael Knowles, identified as a victim of left-wing violence; Chad Wolf, former Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; and Kyle Shideler, an expert on funding networks linked to left-wing groups.

In a statement regarding the hearing, Senator Schmitt said: "The recent rise in political violence represents a corrosive sickness in our society and a threat to our Constitutional order. If we cannot freely and peacefully exchange ideas in the public square, we cannot live up to the ideals of our Founders, who enshrined freedom of speech as our first and most fundamental right. But let’s be clear: political violence is not a ‘both sides’ issue. It overwhelmingly comes from the left. To confront this sickness and begin uniting again, we must accept this truth. I am grateful to the three witnesses for accepting my invitation and look forward to hearing their testimonies."

Members of the media interested in attending are instructed to RSVP through their respective Senate press galleries.