BY EDWARD WOODS

mericans faced the realities of U.S. election violence less than four years ago. In addition to the insurrection at the Capitol in 2021, we saw the lives of Vice-President Michael Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi threatened in real time. And now, former President Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet on his right ear by a registered member of his own party at a campaign rally in Western Pennsylvania. These realities demand extra vigilance and determination in the face of political violence.

Earlier this year, the Council of Foreign Relations issued a report titled, “Preventing Election Violence in 2024.” It raised concerns about “assassination threats” to political candidates before the election, “violence and intimidation at polling places” during the election, and “attacks against government buildings and/or law enforcement officials” after the election. This report stressed the need to prevent election violence to ensure democracy.

In light of these warnings, Americans continue to process how Thomas Matthew Cooks opened fire at former President Donald Trump at his campaign rally. As you can imagine, the ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, county and local law enforcement officials, and legislative bodies seek to address this concern and more. Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped the finger pointing.

KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania reported bickering between Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger as to who was responsible for the shooter getting access to the roof of the building. Cheatle blamed local law enforcement. Goldinger accused the Secret Service. This breakdown highlights our collective need for ongoing collaboration and trust in law enforcement departments to ensure safety at any campaign rally.

Aside from the physical threat, a deeper, and potentially higher level of instigation can stem from the rhetoric and teachings of religious leaders. In the aftermath of the shooting, one pastor asked “Why is Donald Trump alive?”

Jack Hibbs, who leads a congregation of more than 10,000 members at Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills, California, said it was clear to him that Trump was spared by God. “It wasn’t the man. It was the decision he made regarding the blessing of Israel.”

“They (insurrectionists from Jan. 6, 2021, and Trump’s shooter) are cut from the same cloth,” U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church said. “We must cry foul, we must call out the hypocrisy of anyone who would try to condone one and not condemn the other.”

Despite the bickering, rationale, and condemnation, let’s remember the facts. Corey Comperatore lost his life, and his wife went home a widow and his children fatherless for supporting their candidate of choice at that campaign rally. His death is real and not staged. As Americans, we need to ensure that Comperatore’s murder arrests the tide of election violence, rather than setting the stage for more of the same.

Consider the following to prevent election violence:

1. Set the tone for civility in political discourse by holding all political candidates running for office accountable for their words, and actions.
2. Stop spreading conspiracy theories or manipulating voters through artificial intelligence or social media.
3. Ensure collaboration between state, county, and local law enforcement and the Secret Service to ensure safety at campaign rallies.
4. Monitor polling places using trained volunteers, along with a presence of state, county, and local law enforcement to prevent voter harassment and intimidation.
5. Secure government buildings and increase penalties for assault on law enforcement or property damage at election protests.

It’s clear that the integrity of America’s democracy faces its toughest challenge through the potential of normalizing election violence. As Americans, it will take all of us to safeguard our democracy for today and tomorrow by preventing election violence.

EDWARD WOODS, III is the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director for the Lake Region Conference and the Conscience & Justice Council chairperson.