Divided state: On the U.S., a fractured polity

The Hindu editorial on 16/05/2025 highlights how the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk underscores the deep political polarization and rising violence in the United States. Kirk, a staunch defender of gun rights and right-wing causes, became a victim of the very gun culture he promoted, reflecting the toxic environment fueled by years of divisive rhetoric rooted in nativism, exclusion, and intolerance. The US, once seen as a moral and economic leader championing democracy and capitalism, is now at a crossroads, with its credibility shaken by harsh immigration practices, crackdowns on dissent, and Trump-era trade wars that destabilized global supply chains. Domestically, Democrats appear weakened while Republicans rally around Trump’s agenda, further silencing bipartisan dialogue. This fractured polity leaves minorities vulnerable and fuels desperation expressed through gun violence. With past efforts at gun control failing, the editorial concludes by arguing that only new, enlightened leadership in both major parties can restore hope for unity and a less hateful political climate in the post-Trump era.