Another assassination attempt? We can’t let political violence steer elections

Violence has no place in politics in America and yet here we are again, dealing with the possibility of another attempt on Donald Trump’s life. The FBI said on Sunday that it was investigating what appeared to be an attempted assassination as the former president played golf at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach.

Details of the incident were only beginning to emerge Sunday evening, but we were glad to learn quickly that Trump remained unhurt. We were also glad that those currently in the White House —President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris weighed in, saying they were “relieved to know that he is safe.” Harris — Trump’s Democratic rival for the presidency — reiterated on social media that she is “glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”

Those are important statements in this moment because they underline the idea that, for a democracy to work, all of us — even bitter political rivals — can and will come together to combat political violence. That has never been more critical than in this highly contentious election, where democracy truly may be at stake. We cannot let those who would commit such violence influence our elections by dividing us further.