I’ve spent a significant amount of time in journalism, and I’m no stranger to backlash from readers.

However, the intensity of the hateful responses I received following my piece on Brian Thompson’s murder was shocking.

In that article, I voiced my concern about our loss of humanity amidst the disturbing reactions to Thompson’s tragic death in New York City.

Many people expressed their anger regarding the healthcare system by rationalizing the murder of an innocent family man, labeling the shooter as a “hero” without knowing anything about him (and he is far from a hero).

It was deeply upsetting.

Some responses attempted to soften their opinions by stating they typically don’t support violence, BUT they could empathize with the circumstances in this instance – as if there could ever be a reason to justify cold-hearted murder.

Even worse, such inhumane perspectives have been echoed by prominent figures in our government.

For instance, Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren remarked, “Violence is never the solution, but if people are pushed too far, they can lose faith in the system and take matters into their own hands, endangering everyone.”

This is the viewpoint of a U.S. senator.

Incidents of violence are becoming increasingly prevalent, and there is no justification.

Recent events showcase how violence stemming from political differences is infiltrating our society.

This week, South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace reported she was assaulted by a man at the Capitol due to her views on transgender rights. The individual reportedly grabbed her arm aggressively and wouldn’t let go.

Mace, who shared a photo of her arm in a sling afterward, has recently been in the media spotlight for advocating women’s rights and protecting women’s spaces, including pushing for a Capitol policy that would limit transgender women from using women’s restrooms.

Due to her stance, Mace has also received death threats and other frightening responses.

You can disagree with her views, but no one should have to live in fear because of their beliefs or advocacy.

This week, a bomb threat directed at another Congress member, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, led to a tragic incident. A police officer responding to the threat was involved in a car crash, resulting in the death of an innocent driver in another vehicle.

“These violent threats pose real dangers. It places an extra burden on law enforcement, who must take such incidents seriously. The officer was responding to protect me,” Greene tweeted. “And now, because of this, a woman has lost her life due to This is a reprehensible act.”

Recently, Democratic lawmakers and some nominees for President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet have also experienced swatting threats.

It’s not difficult to denounce these threats and attacks

Greene has made many controversial statements during her tenure and evidently has accumulated numerous adversaries.

However, no individual should face threats due to their political beliefs or their profession. In the case of Thompson, he was tragically shot simply because he was in the “wrong” field.

Although Sen. Warren hesitated to unequivocally denounce Thompson’s murder without qualifications, some of her peers are doing a much better job of denouncing acts of violence.

For instance, Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, a Democrat whom I often find myself agreeing with lately, spoke about Mace’s attack on X, saying: “I strongly condemn this assault as it belongs to a growing national discussion on the dangerous condoning, celebrating, or justifying violence against those with differing opinions. It seems there is free rein to harm anyone simply for disagreeing.”

He concluded with, “This is unacceptable.”

Expressing that is not so difficult.