Show-Me State Times

Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) has formally requested that the Department of Justice investigate incidents of left-wing political violence in the United States. This request comes after Attorney General Bondi expressed willingness to launch a probe into such attacks during a recent Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing.

In his letter, Senator Schmitt thanked Attorney General Bondi for attending the hearing and noted the need for clear data on political violence. He wrote, “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.”

Schmitt referenced several high-profile incidents as examples, stating: “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 by citing past events: “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 countless times conservative students and speakers have been attacked on campuses across country...And now they remember assassination of Charlie Kirk.”

Senator Schmitt expressed concern about potential impacts on free speech: “In wake of sustained Left-wing violence, many Americans may be hesitant to exercise their free speech rights and thoroughly debate ideas in public square. One of our government’s central purposes is to secure people’s natural rights—like freedom of speech—from deprivations by violent actors...I therefore request DOJ and FBI create public report on Left-wing political violence in United States to inform Congress and American people about extent of this crisis.”

The letter outlines specific requests including:

- A detailed accounting of left-wing political violence over recent decades.

- Review whether certain incidents should be classified as domestic terrorism.

- Analysis regarding ideological motivations behind each case.

- Cataloguing various forms beyond physical attacks such as doxxing or SWATting.

- Assessment if current federal categories sufficiently describe modern ideologically inspired violence.

- Recommendations for both law enforcement action and possible legislation.

A full copy of Senator Schmitt's letter is available online.