Conversations after Kirk shooting should be about radicalization, not polarization: Sarah Beford
The article discusses the aftermath of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, emphasizing that the national conversation should focus on radicalization rather than mere political polarization. Sarah Bedford, Investigative Editor at the Washington Examiner, argued on NewsNation’s program *Balance* that political division in the U.S. has existed for decades, but the current concern is the rise of radicalization, notably on the political Left. Following Kirk’s shooting at Utah Valley University, debates about political violence intensified, with some House Republicans blaming Democrats and the media for fostering opposed rhetoric. Bedford claimed that Democrats have created a climate that legitimizes radicalization by aggressively demonizing Republicans.Attorney General Pam Bondi stated her intent to prosecute hate speech that incites violence, distinguishing it from protected free speech, and condemned the normalization of violent threats, particularly from the radical left. Bondi reaffirmed her stance despite bipartisan criticism, declaring that calls for violence and assassination are criminal and unacceptable in society.
Conversations after Kirk shooting should be about radicalization, not polarization: Sarah Beford
Washington Examiner Investigative Editor Sarah Bedford said conversations about today’s political climate should focus on radicalization, not polarization, following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Bedford argued on NewsNation’s Balance that political division isn’t a new problem in the United States. She said the nation has been divided for decades.
“We’ve been extremely divided for decades,” Bedford said. “What this really is a conversation about is radicalization, not polarization, and radicalization is happening increasingly on the Left.”
Since Kirk was shot and killed last week at an event at Utah Valley University, discussions about political violence and division have been dominating national conversations.
Some House Republicans blamed Democrats last week for Kirk’s assassination, including Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), who also accused the media of being “complicit.”
“You are responsible for this, because you are echoing the horrifically horrible political violent rhetoric that’s being produced by the Democratic Party,” Van Orden said.
Bedford said Democrats have created a “rhetorical permission structure” for radicalization by “aggressively demonizing” their Republican opponents.
“That’s the conversation that needs to be had openly and honestly in Washington,” she said. “And this pressure on Donald Trump to be a symbol of unity at a time when this is a conversation about radicalization is, I think, disingenuous.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday said her office will “absolutely target” people who “target anyone with hate speech.”
“There’s free speech and then there’s hate speech, and there is no place, especially now, especially after what happened to Charlie, in our society,” Bondi said on the Katie Miller Podcast.
Bondi stood firm on these comments on Tuesday after receiving bipartisan backlash.
“Hate speech that crosses the line into threats of violence is NOT protected by the First Amendment. It’s a crime. For far too long, we’ve watched the radical left normalize threats, call for assassinations, and cheer on political violence. That era is over,” Bondi said on X.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) September 16, 2025
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