In case you were wondering how media in different countries assess the US’ situation, one of Austria’s most read newspaper did a cover story on the Kirk assassination, describing it as the US edging closer to civil war. Apologies that it’s in German, I’ve translated the title at least.
Armed Militias
Observers also look with concern at the growing number of heavily armed militias active in many parts of the country. Many of them had participated in Trump’s instigated storming of the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021, were subsequently sentenced to partly lengthy prison terms, and were pardoned by him after Trump’s re-election. Although the White House does not directly control them, they could be used as a weapon to intimidate opponents. In the left spectrum, there is also a violence-ready minority. During protests against racism or increasingly harsh policies against immigrants, riots repeatedly occur, which, however, contrary to claims from the Republican camp, are not organized.
All Americans who allegedly celebrated Kirk’s death could also become victims of violence, which has happened rather rarely in the otherwise so tasteless social media. Ultimately, this could mean anyone who has ever expressed criticism of Kirk or his views. Ultra-right influencer Laura Loomer has already posted the first names of suspects, and the website charliesmurderers.com calls for naming people who would support political violence in order to then publish their names. They would all be acutely endangered.
(Eric Frey, 13.9.2025)