For all of us who love our country, it was a memorable moment. On the evening of Sept. 11, 2001, hours after fleeing the Capitol because of the fear of an airliner hijacked by terrorists striking the building, members of Congress assembled on the steps of the Capitol.

Senators stood next to representatives, Republicans next to Democrats, leaders next to backbenchers. Then, after an opening prayer and a moment of silence, they broke out in an impromptu chorus of “God Bless America.” It was moving, inspiring and the perfect way to show the world that, despite our differences, when we are suffering, we stand together as Americans. We support each other. We are united.

The senseless assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk could have been another such 9/11 moment. Even though his death is especially tragic because he was such a young man with a wife and two young daughters who was killed only for exercising his freedom of speech, Kirk’s murder is just the latest in a wave of political violence.

It has been leveled against politicians on the left. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) was shot and wounded in 2011, Paul Pelosi was attacked in his home in 2022. There was a kidnapping plot against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020. An alleged arsonist targeted the residence of Pennsylvania

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