Targeted, Angry, and Armed: Political Violence in America Is Escalating

Brad Parker
Jun 15
2 min read

What Executives, Families, and High-Profile Individuals Need to Understand Now

If you're watching closely, you’ve seen the trend: political ideology is turning violent, and people in power are being hunted—not debated.

This isn’t some theoretical “what if.” The threat environment has changed, and if you’re a public-facing figure, business owner, or leader, you are no longer shielded by your title, neighborhood, or good intentions.

Political Violence, Real Names

We’ve moved beyond culture wars into a new era of directed violence.

In one of the most direct political attacks in recent memory, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband Mark were murdered in their home by a gunman authorities have identified as Vance Luther Boelter. The suspect is also accused of shooting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in their nearby Champlin home.
Authorities are calling this a “targeted attack on political figures and their families.”

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Vance L. Boelter, the suspect in the targeted shootings of Minnesota lawmakers. (FBI)

This wasn’t a random crime. It was a coordinated assassination effort against elected officials. And it signals that political violence in America has entered a new, deeply personal phase.

Elsewhere, Tesla dealerships have been shot at, firebombed, and vandalized due to Elon Musk’s perceived political affiliations—despite having no direct connection to the targeted locations.
“No Kings Day” was recently promoted as a day of protest against corporate elites, with calls for direct action against executives, luxury businesses, and those perceived as “symbols of inequality.”
Los Angeles continues to serve as ground zero for repeated unrest, from the Rodney King riots to the looting waves of 2020–2023. Police morale is low, prosecutions are inconsistent, and mob behavior is becoming normalized.

These aren’t outliers. They’re indicators. And for anyone who leads a company, manages public visibility, or holds influence—these incidents are red flags for your security posture.

The Narrative Is Fueling the Fire

The more polarized the political messaging becomes, the more dangerous the ground gets.

Political opponents are no longer seen as wrong—they’re seen as evil.
Success is no longer admired—it’s resented.
Neutrality is no longer respected—it’s viewed as complicity.

This is how regimes fall. This is how movements get violent. And this is exactly how ordinary people get caught in the crossfire.

What to Do About It

You can’t control the headlines. But you can control your profile, posture, and preparedness.

If you're in the public eye—whether you're a CEO, elected official, or business leader—you must now treat political volatility as a physical security concern.

Conduct an exposure audit: What are you signaling publicly (online and offline)?
Harden your perimeter: Home, office, vehicles, and travel routes.
Vary your routines and stay gray when possible.
Train your family to respond to harassment, protests, or surveillance.
Partner with professionals who understand modern threat dynamics.