Senator Schmitt Calls for Investigation into Left-Wing Violence

Letter Follows Bondi's Commitment to Schmitt to Launch Probe into Attacks from the Left

WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Schmitt (R-MO) called on the Department of Justice to investigate left-wing political violence. The letter follows Attorney General Bondi's commitment to Senator Schmitt earlier this week when asked about launching a probe into attacks by the left.

Senator Schmitt began: "Thank you for recently appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee for the Department of Justice's annual oversight hearing. I appreciated your candor and transparency. During my questioning, I discussed the epidemic of political violence that besets our nation today. One troubling aspect of this crisis is the lack of clear and objective data on the issue. To that end, for the purpose of assisting us in crafting legislative solutions, I am following up on your agreement to have the Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation produce a comprehensive report on Left-wing political violence in the United States to inform Congress and the American people about the extent and gravity of this crisis."

Senator Schmitt wrote: "Charlie Kirk's assassination was not an isolated attack. Instead, it is the latest example in a spate of far-Left political violence that has spiraled into a crisis in recent years. The media and academia continue to lie to the American people and deny the reality of political violence from Leftists. They try to portray it as a "both sides" problem-and even that the right is the font of political violence. Those claims are false."

Senator Schmitt wrote: "To support that false narrative, the Left needs the American people to disbelieve their own eyes and ears. But the American people remember the congressional baseball shooting, where a Leftist didn't start shooting until he was sure Republicans were the ones on the field. The American people remember wave after wave of BLM riots across the country that destroyed neighborhoods and livelihoods, caused at least $1 billion in property damage, injured more than 2,000 police officers, and killed many Americans. They remember the 2020 "Summer of Love" riots from Antifa. They remember the "Jane's Revenge" firebombing and vandalism campaign after the Dobbs draft leak, and the assassination attempt against a sitting Supreme Court justice. They remember the two attempts on President Trump's life. They remember the pro-terrorist mobs that took to the streets after Hamas's October 7th atrocities. They remember the pro-Hamas riots and encampments at college campuses across the country. They remember the Left celebrating an assassin who murdered a healthcare CEO, such as by proposing legislation in the assassin's name. They remember the countless times conservative students and speakers have been attacked on campuses across the country. They remember the endless riots and attacks against ICE and Border Patrol. And now they remember the assassination of Charlie Kirk."

Senator Schmitt continued: "In the wake of sustained Left-wing violence, many Americans may be hesitant to exercise their free speech rights and thoroughly debate ideas in the public square. One of our government's central purposes is to secure the people's natural rights-like the freedom of speech-from deprivations by violent actors. Congress and the Administration should therefore work together to assess a range of policy options to protect the central pillars of American society-free speech and the right to assembly. Before Congress can do so, it must have a full appraisal of the facts. I therefore request that the DOJ and FBI create a public report on Left-wing political violence in the United States to inform Congress and the American people about the extent of this crisis."

Senator Schmitt requested the following:

• Provide a comprehensive accounting of Left-wing political violence in the 21st century, with a particular focus on the past ten years.
• Review prior investigations to re-assess whether they should be included in the domestic terrorism database. For example, the FBI for years did not include the 2017 Republican congressional baseball practice shooting as a domestic terrorism incident and tried to hide the shooter's Leftist motivations.
• Review every case in the domestic terrorism database and determine what, if any, ideological motivation was present.
• Catalogue not only incidents involving deaths but also attempts to intimidate and coerce people through mobs, street violence, doxxing, SWATting, and similar tactics.
• Catalogue large-scale Left-wing political violence actions, such as "CHAZ/CHOP," Standing Rock, "Cop City," and similar outposts.
• Explain the organizational structure of domestic terror cells and how they relate to larger national (and international) organizations and funders. For example, how was the Antifa terrorist cell that executed a sophisticated ambush on an ICE facility-where multiple law enforcements officers were injured-organized and funded.
• Re-assess whether the domestic terrorism categories, such as Anti-Government/Anti-Authority Violent Extremist (AGAAVE), Animal Rights/Environmentalist Violent Extremist (AREVE), Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremist (REMVE), and Abortion-Related Violent Extremist (ARVE), sufficiently capture the nature of modern ideologically inspired violence.
• Provide a comprehensive overview explaining how the DOJ and FBI, under your leadership, have been responding to the rise of Left-wing political violence.
• Highlight prior discussions, efforts, or initiatives in this area-or lack thereof-by your predecessors.
• Make recommendations for how to stop the rising tide of Left-wing political violence, including both proposals for law enforcement initiatives and potential legislative actions for Congress.

Read the full letter HERE.

###