(NewsNation) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday said political violence “tears at the fabric of American society,” speaking at the 2025 Eradicate Hate Global Summit less than a week after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Shapiro’s keynote speech centered on an increasingly aggressive political climate, which he said serves to only weaken democracy.
Referencing Kirk’s death and the killings of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband earlier this year, Shapiro condemned violence “regardless of what motivates it or who pulls the trigger.”
“Violence in all forms is unacceptable. Political violence is particularly dangerous. Not only does it seek to injure, maim or kill, it seeks to intimidate and terrorize and silence,” he said.
Shapiro called on political powerhouses — including the president — to refrain from selectively condemning political violence.
“It is all wrong, and it makes us all less safe,” Shapiro said.
Shapiro also recounted his own experience with political violence, pointing to the April attempt to burn down the Democratic governor’s home on Passover while he and his family were inside.
“Not only was my safety threatened, but my wife, our children, members of our extended family were all at risk,” Shapiro said. “I thank God every day that we were able to evacuate safely.”
Uptick in political violence, threats against lawmakers
Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed last week during an event at Utah Valley University. Political figures on both sides of the aisle have condemned his killing and the man suspected to be behind it, 22-year-old Utah native Tyler Robinson.
Authorities have said Hortman and her husband were gunned down at their home in June by 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who was impersonating a police officer. A second Democratic legislator and his wife were also shot but survived.
Their deaths are some of the latest in a long list of politically based attacks in recent years, including two assassination attempts on President Donald Trump.
Authorities have warned of an increase in threats against members of Congress, their families and staff. More than 9,400 direct threats and concerning statements were reported in 2024, more than double the number in 2017, according to data from U.S. Capitol Police.