Student Spectrums

Tahir Altalib is 15 and has a keen eye on the local and national political scene. Through his words, he seeks to bring novel perspectives on timely issues to the table.

As an American citizen in the 21st century, I never imagined I would find myself living in a time when fear for the safety of my family, friends, and even myself would become a part of daily life. On July 13, 2024, I was jolted into this new reality when an assassination attempt was made on Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Watching the news that day, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted. The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired several shots using an AR-15-style rifle before being neutralized by Secret Service agents. Although Trump survived with only a minor injury, the event left me, and millions of others, gripped by fear. This wasn’t just another news story—this was a sign of the terrifying normalization of violence against politicians, a trend that I fear will only grow worse in my lifetime.

I find myself constantly reflecting on how many members of Congress and other public officials have faced similar threats. It’s difficult not to feel a sense of dread when I consider how violence has become intertwined with political discourse in this country. I remember hearing about the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband, a man who was seriously injured in an attack meant for her. As someone who values family deeply, I can’t help but imagine how devastating it would be to live with the guilt and pain of knowing that your loved ones were harmed because of your role in government. The emotional and psychological damage from these incidents is something I now think about far too often, wondering how we reached this point where public servants are no longer safe, even in their own homes. What scares me most, however, is the prospect that these violent actions, though punishable now, might one day be protected under First Amendment rights. It’s a thought that gnaws at me when I think about where our legal precedents are headed. As public discourse continues to evolve, particularly in light of cases like Texas v. JohnsonI worry about how easily dangerous individuals could justify their violent actions as “expressions of frustration” toward the government. Sometimes, when I walk through my own neighborhood, I can’t help but wonder if violence will eventually spill over into the lives of ordinary citizens like me, not just politicians. That prospect deeply unsettles me. 

Every time I hear about another attack,whether it’s on a lawmaker’s home or in the streets,I find myself grappling with the reality that this is becoming a form of protest, and I don’t know how to stop it. Many of these violent acts seem to stem from disillusionment with government policies. I get it, I’ve felt frustrated, too. But violence is not the answer. It feels like we’ve crossed a line, and I fear that one day it won’t just be politicians in the crosshairs, but all of us. We’ll be living in a country where violence is accepted as part of political expression. The United States was built on the idea of government by the people and for the people, and growing up, I believed in that ideal. I still want to believe in it. But lately, I’ve been feeling that this country, my country, is starting to unravel. It’s impossible to ignore the historical parallels, great civilizations, like Rome, which lasted a mighty 2206 years, fell under the weight of their own internal conflicts. It’s unsettling to think about, but the U.S., not even 250 years old, is already showing cracks.

In the end, the rise of violence against public officials, and the divisions within our society that fuel it, keep me up at night. These acts are not just targeted attacks; they are part of a dangerous shift in how we, as a society, express our anger and discontent. I worry for our future—for the future of my loved ones, for myself, and for the country. While freedom of speech and the right to protest are cornerstones of American democracy, I believe we need to draw a line before this violence becomes normalized. If we don’t, I fear that we’re headed toward a future where the foundations of this country will crumble, just as so many great empires have before us.