Former FBI agent Jonathan Gilliam recently shared his alarming perspective on political violence during an appearance on FOX News. He believes that the wave of aggression seen in recent months is merely the beginning as we approach 2026. Gilliam draws attention to figures like Luigi Mangione, who has been glorified by some, and points to the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk—a pivotal conservative voice—in September 2025 as indicative of a worrying trend.
Gilliam’s remarks underline that political violence is becoming a normalized aspect of the current landscape. He describes the outpouring of celebration following Kirk’s murder as both shocking and troubling. This attitude reflects a shift where acts of violence, once unthinkable in political discourse, are now met with a disturbing acceptance among certain factions.
The grim reality of political assassinations does not exist in a vacuum. The assassination of Kirk serves as a high-profile example, but it has broader implications regarding the safety of public figures with conservative viewpoints. The use of explicit threats, such as one bullet allegedly engraved with “Hey fascist, catch,” illustrates how inflammatory political rhetoric is creeping into tangible violence. This kind of detail does more than provoke debate; it raises essential questions about the state of political discourse in America.
Moreover, Gilliam points to a dramatic rise in violent assaults against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in 2025—over a 1,150% increase compared to previous years. This stark statistic is a clarion call regarding the risks faced by those enforcing the law and the increasingly hostile environment they operate in, a trend echoed across various sectors.
The rising tide of violence is particularly concerning when considered against the backdrop of past attempts on the life of former President Donald Trump. Gilliam suggests that while the aggression currently appears to emanate primarily from the left, there is a palpable tension regarding how and when the right might push back. The fear lingers that if this wave of violence continues unchecked, it could spiral into something far more dangerous—a potential new civil conflict where one side is already engaged.
In his assessment, Gilliam does not mince words. He urges vigilance as the year unfolds. “Things could get much worse,” he warns, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of escalations in violence. An outlook for 2026 that advocates for hope carries a weighty reminder: the fabric of American political life is fraying, and both sides must reckon with the consequences of their rhetoric before it leads to deeper fractures.
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