INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The killing of political commentator Charlie Kirk has put the issue of political violence into the national spotlight.

In the wake of Kirk’s murder, discussions have intensified around the history and persistence of political violence in America, as well as the ways society and the government respond to such acts.

Two members of the WISH-TV political team, Dana Black and Whitley Yates, discussed the historical context of political violence and the balance between free speech and professional responsibility.

the death of Charlie Kirk and the long history of political violence in America.

“The killing of Charlie Kirk is tragic,” Black, the former deputy chair of Engagement for the Indiana Democratic Party. “But, unfortunately, this is nothing new in American history.”

Black touched on the historical context of political violence in the United States, referencing events such as the duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, and the struggles of civil rights activists like Fannie Lou Hamer.

“There are bodies still in the Tallahatchie River because they wanted to register to vote. Fannie Lou Hamer had her whole life upended because she wanted to register to vote,” Black said.

“So, unfortunately, in America, this is where we have always been. We have always had political violence. The question in, how do we navigate through it so we can still be civically engaged, because the largest words on the Constitution still say, ‘We the People.’”

Whitley Yates, the Director of Engagement for the Indiana Republican Party, said more people are moving toward political violence.

“I think that is something that has gotten worse, where people’s ideas and the rhetoric that they have now move people towards violence,” Yates said. “And I think that what needs to happen from everyone is a serious look at the mental health of this society, as well as how we are combating when ideas and ideologues push people to do things like kill someone else.”

The conversation also touched on the response from Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who suggested that teachers celebrating Kirk’s death should face repercussions. This sparked a debate on the balance between free speech and professional responsibility.

Black criticized Rokita’s stance, arguing that it encroaches on First Amendment rights. “This is literally fascism ,” she stated, expressing concern over government interference in personal expression.

Yates, however, argued that while people have the right to express their views, the must also face the consequences of their words, especially when those words could impact their professional roles and responsibilities.

“I think if they say things that make their job look bad and put them in a bad light and cause them to be into conflict, then that should be expected on every job in every industry.”

Click on the video above to watch the full discussion.

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