Fact Check: "Assassination attempts linked to leftist groups have gone unaddressed."
What We Know
The claim suggests that assassination attempts associated with leftist groups have not been adequately addressed. Recent events, including multiple assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, have reignited discussions about political violence in the U.S. According to NPR, there has been a notable increase in political violence, with experts indicating that the motivations behind these acts are complex and often murky. While some historical context shows that leftist groups were once significant contributors to political violence in the U.S., current trends indicate that right-wing groups are now more prevalent in committing such acts (NPR, 6).
Harvard Kennedy School professors Erica Chenoweth and Archon Fung have highlighted the importance of addressing political violence through unified political discourse and stronger legislative measures (1). They emphasize that political violence is a growing concern, and there is a need for leaders to unequivocally reject violence from all sides (1).
Analysis
The assertion that assassination attempts linked to leftist groups have gone unaddressed lacks nuance. While it is true that there have been recent assassination attempts, such as those against Trump, the ideological motivations behind these acts are not solely attributable to leftist groups. In fact, criminology professor Gary LaFree notes that while leftist groups were historically significant in political violence, the current landscape shows a predominance of right-wing violence (2).
Furthermore, the claim does not consider the broader context of political violence in the U.S. The Bridging Divides Initiative has reported consistently high levels of hostility faced by local elected officials, indicating a pervasive climate of political violence that transcends specific ideological affiliations (2).
The reliability of the sources discussing this claim varies. NPR and Harvard Kennedy School are reputable institutions with established expertise in political science and violence studies. However, claims made by individuals or organizations with known biases, such as the Heritage Foundation, should be approached with caution (3).
Conclusion
The claim that "assassination attempts linked to leftist groups have gone unaddressed" is Partially True. While there have been assassination attempts and a historical context of leftist political violence, the current trend indicates a shift towards right-wing violence as the predominant threat. Additionally, the issue of political violence is complex and multifaceted, involving various ideological groups rather than being confined to one side.
Sources
- After an attempted assassination, how to turn back a rising tide of ...
- The U.S. has had a long history of political violence, but ... - NPR
- Fact Focus: Heritage Foundation leader wrong to say most political ...
- List of people who survived assassination attempts
- We fact-checked some of the rumors spreading online ...
- Extremist murders are usually from right-wing actors
- The Growing Threat of Political Violence From the Left
