Experts on political violence said the factors shaping the current moment are clear — and similar to those that shaped past periods of political violence.

Political violence is hardly unprecedented in the United States. In fact, the country has “a long, dark history” of violence that has “struck the highest level of American politics,” said Kevin Boyle, a Northwestern University historian.

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, according to reports.

A presidential historian compared today's political violence to the 1960s assassinations, warning that social media has created a more dangerous landscape for democracy.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemned the assassination of Charlie Kirk while criticizing President Donald Trump's rhetoric for "fomenting" political violence.

Initial expressions of grief and shock were overtaken by open calls for reckoning and vengeance, as some proclaimed the country was on the brink of civil war.

President Trump has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff across the United States in memory of political activist Charlie Kirk. "As a mark of respect for the memory of Charlie Kirk, [...] I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff," the proclamation reads.

According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.

I interviewed Charlie multiple times and our exchanges were sometimes intense. I pressed him, he pushed back, but in the end he was always cordial. Always willing to engage,” she said. His killing is the latest in a string of acts of political violence — from the attempted assassination of then-candidate Trump in Butler,