CommonSense American Condemns Attack on White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Last night, shots were fired at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Several members of the current administration, including President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, were in attendance, as were hundreds of journalists. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and a suspect has been taken into custody.

While the suspect’s exact motivations are still being investigated, details from law enforcement indicate that this was likely an attempted incident of political violence. CommonSense American condemns this attack, and all other attempts at political violence, in the strongest possible terms. America must be better than this.

Turning to violence is never an appropriate response to political disagreement. Attacks like this make it even more difficult to facilitate a free and open exchange of ideas, which is critical for a functioning democracy. Progress on the hardest, most contentious issues requires the ability to speak, listen, and disagree in good faith. Violence, or even the threat of it, silences voices and replaces genuine conversation with fear.

Yesterday’s incident may have targeted members of the administration, but it was also terrifying to the hundreds of journalists in the audience. When members of the press feel unsafe to perform traditional parts of their jobs, our democracy suffers.

In the aftermath of these attacks, it can feel as if political violence is an unstoppable rising tide. This feeling is understandable. But in moments like this, we must remember that the vast majority of us still find political violence unthinkable. The few individuals willing to perpetrate political violence are a fringe minority.

If you are part of the majority who believe that our nation is better than political violence, post on social media with your own statement on why political violence is never acceptable. Use the hashtag #BetterThanThis to add your voice to thousands of other Americans who agree that violence is never the answer to our political divisions.