Democratic pollster and political consultant Douglas E. Schoen on Thursday urged Americans to unite against political violence in the wake of the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, saying the country must "lower our volume, lower our temperature and unite." Schoen wrote that the killing should prompt bipartisan cooperation rather than mutual recrimination.
Schoen, writing in an opinion piece for Fox News, described the attack as part of a broader rise in political violence and called on both parties to de-escalate rhetoric and pursue common goals on issues such as border security, aid to Ukraine and protecting social safety-net programs. He said it was "misguided to blame the opposite political party for violence when it occurs," and added that while he does not yet know the ideology of the shooter, the episode should be used "as a tool for political reconciliation."
The killing has prompted broad public and political condemnation. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said political violence must stop and specifically faulted incendiary rhetoric, saying President Donald Trump's public language "often foments it." Pritzker called for a period of reconciliation and said political leaders should aim to protect debate without encouraging violence. Other elected officials have likewise decried the attack and raised concerns about the safety of public figures, prompting heightened security measures in some jurisdictions and on Capitol Hill.
Schoen framed the episode as part of a worrying pattern, citing recent threats and attacks against public figures ranging from governors and state legislators to corporate leaders and members of the federal judiciary. He invoked the 1960s assassinations of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy as a historical caution, warning against allowing contemporary politics to descend into similar violence.
In his piece, Schoen urged both parties to find common ground on specific policy areas rather than escalating confrontations for partisan advantage. He said Democrats should advocate for preserving programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and food assistance without resorting to shutdowns, and he said Republicans should refrain from "demonizing the left" even when rhetoric becomes extreme. Schoen also referenced remarks by President Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention, saying that Trump's call for unity after an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, could serve as an example for the nation.
Reaction on and off Capitol Hill reflected increased unease. Some lawmakers called for reviews of security protocols for members of Congress and for public officials more broadly. Law enforcement officials have said that investigations into the Kirk killing are ongoing and that details about motive and the alleged shooter remain limited.
Media coverage and commentary have ranged from calls for immediate policy responses to appeals for restraint in public discourse. Schoen, who has worked as a pollster and adviser in Democratic circles for more than four decades and is founder of Schoen Cooperman Research, framed his plea as a broader appeal to civic norms: he urged Americans to pursue the country's interests through debate and democratic institutions rather than through threats or violence.
As investigations continue, Schoen and other public figures urged leaders and citizens to lower partisan temperature and to work together on shared priorities. The killing of Kirk has renewed attention to the question of how political rhetoric and public threats intersect with acts of violence and what steps, if any, government and civic institutions should take to reduce such risks.