Trump warns of retribution for ‘radical left’ political violence 

During an Oval Office news conference, President Trump had a warning for what he called “radical left Democrats.” He suggested that if the rhetoric and violence continue, the right might eventually respond in kind.  

“The radical left is causing this problem. Not the right, the radical left. And it’s going to get worse, and ultimately it’s going to go back on them.”  

And then, Trump doubled down: “I mean, bad things happen when they play these games. I’ll give you a little clue, the right is a lot tougher than the left. But the right’s not doing this. And they better not get them energized because it won’t be good for the left.”  

These words weren’t delivered at a campaign rally — they came from the Oval Office. They landed at a time when America is already on edge after the deadly shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. According to Axios, our nation has seen more high-profile assassination attempts in the last 14 months than at any point since the murders of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. That includes two attempts on Trump himself, the killing of a Democratic Minnesota lawmaker, and an arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home.  

In this climate especially, words matter. But instead of de-escalating, Trump is striking matches. And the result is predictable: calls for violence and even “civil war” are spreading across social media. MAGA influencers are declaring “war” on the left, even as Democrats across the board condemn Kirk’s murder.  

That’s not leadership. That’s ego on a microphone. Presidential leadership — real leadership — means calming the nation, not pouring gasoline on a fire that’s already burning. It doesn’t mean silencing debate, but it does mean drawing a line between disagreement and dehumanization. Because disagreeing with someone’s politics is not the same as endorsing their murder. Suggesting otherwise isn’t just dishonest — it’s dangerous.  

At the end of the day, presidents set the tone. When tragedy strikes, the job is simple, even if it isn’t easy: comfort the country, call for unity, and make sure civil discourse survives. Right now, we don’t need someone daring Americans to fight each other—we need someone reminding us why democracy is worth fighting for together. 

Lindsey Granger is a News Nation contributor and co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising.” This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.