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What Charlie Kirk's Assassination Says About Political Violence

What's going on: As authorities search for the suspect and motive in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the shocking act has laid bare a harsh American reality: Political violence is not only more frequent, it’s seemingly become more tolerated. Kirk’s murder adds to a grim list that includes attempts on President Donald Trump’s life, the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker, gunfire at the CDC headquarters, and a deadly shooting at the Israeli embassy — all of which occurred in the last year and a half. According to Capitol Police, nearly 9,500 threats were made last year against members of Congress, their families, and staff — more than double the number in 2017. A university professor who has polled attitudes on political violence since Jan 6 said support for such attacks is now at its highest point in four years and called the country a “tinderbox.”

What it means: Some experts worry Kirk’s killing is likely to drive Americans even deeper into partisan silos. Polls show more than 80% of voters in both parties hold “very unfavorable” views of the other side, and analysts warn that when hostility becomes organized along party lines, it risks becoming institutionalized. Political analysts also say Trump has fueled division by blaming the left for Kirk’s death, while others say both parties are locked in a dangerous cycle. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) has tried to brand himself as a counter to the anger, urging Americans to “disagree better” — a message now tested by the violence in his own backyard. 

Related: Trump To Award Charlie Kirk With Posthumous Medal of Freedom (Axios)

Health

California Takes Back the Label

What's going on: Yesterday, California lawmakers approved one of the strongest post-Roe abortion protections yet. The measure safeguards health care providers who send abortion pills to states that ban them — and the patients who receive them — by minimizing identifying information on medical labels and paperwork. Packages would omit patients’, prescribers’, and pharmacists’ names. The bill also makes it harder for states with bans to gather evidence for potential legal cases against doctors and others. Next up: a signature from Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who’s expected to push it right through. 

What it means: Experts say that, although the law will only apply to just one state, it could have a broad national reach. Many medication abortion services rely on California pharmacies to dispense and ship drugs like mifepristone. The bill also aims to calm patients’ fears that a name on a pill bottle could become evidence in court. It’s also another layer of protection amid growing attacks on shield laws (Exhibit A: Texas). The measure comes as abortion opponents have filed civil and criminal suits against providers, with a case involving a New York doctor poised to go to the Supreme Court. 

Related: New Mexico Will Be the First State With Free Child Care (ABC News)

Immigration

The Immigration Squeeze That Could Shrink America

What's going on: The US population is expected to shrink and grow more slowly than earlier forecasts predicted — a shift the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) just linked to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Between 2026 and 2029, the CBO projects that officials will remove 290,000 immigrants and that 30,000 will leave voluntarily before 2030. Meanwhile, the baby boomer population was already dwindling, and deaths are now expected to exceed births in 2031 — two years earlier than previously projected. Some have even warned that the immigration-related population decline could kick in even sooner, starting this year. A new economic forecast based on the CBO estimates is due today.

What it means: Not to say that humans are put on earth just to work (we personally were put here to touch grass and eat raw cookie dough), but… in a capitalistic society, economists’ perspective is that a shrinking population means a shrinking labor force and an even weaker economy. When it comes to population declines, many economists are with pronatalists on this one: They’re anti. They say fewer humans means more labor shortages and higher prices, not to mention contributing to the already devastating crisis of care for elderly folks. And of course, immigrants aren’t just workers — for centuries, they have shaped the fabric of American culture, creativity, and strength.

Related: How the ICE Crackdown Is Impacting Child Care Workers (The 19th)