CTV News, Political Violence in America: Former FBI Agent Katherine Schweit on the Charlie Kirk Shooting and Rising Threats
Editor’s Note: This article summarizes Katherine Schweit’s appearance on CTV News, September 10, 2025, where she was invited to share her expertise on political violence.
Former FBI agent Katherine Schweit analyzes the Charlie Kirk shooting and rising political violence in America. Source: Canadian TV, Sept. 10, 2025.
In a recent appearance on CTV News, former FBI Special Agent Katherine Schweit—the architect of the FBI’s Active Shooter Program—brought her unmatched field experience and calm authority to a deeply troubling story: the targeted shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
The incident, which occurred while Kirk was speaking about mass shootings, has shaken both political circles and the public. As Schweit explained, the attack was not random—it was calculated.
A Chillingly Orchestrated Attack
Schweit noted that the shooter appeared to be positioned some 200 yards away, likely with a sniper rifle, staged carefully to deliver a single kill shot. “Clearly, this was an intent to kill,” she explained, underscoring the deliberate planning that went into the attack.
Her assessment: this was not simply a personal grievance—it’s part of a larger, alarming pattern of political violence in America.
Beyond Partisan Lines
While Kirk is a high-profile supporter of former President Donald Trump, Schweit emphasized that these attacks are not one-sided. Politicians and public figures across both parties have become targets in recent years. From assassination attempts to harassment, violence is increasingly replacing dialogue.
“It’s a continuation of violent acts against both Democratic and Republican political figures,” Schweit said. “Instead of people believing they can go to the polls and vote, they’re acting out.”
Escalating Division, Escalating Violence
Perhaps most sobering was Schweit’s warning about the future. Political tensions in the United States are at a breaking point. As she observed, speculation of a “tit-for-tat” spiral of retaliatory attacks misses the larger issue: the normalization of political violence.
“We are seeing violence escalating, particularly against politicians and their supporters,” she cautioned. “Until we choose to lower the temperature, this will continue.”
Key Takeaways from Katherine Schweit:
Planned violence: The attack bore the hallmarks of a calculated assassination attempt.
Not partisan—it’s systemic: Both Republicans and Democrats have faced violent targeting.
Political discourse is breaking down: Violence is increasingly replacing debate and ballots.
Urgency to act: America must find a way to “lower the temperature” or risk further escalation.
Why Katherine Schweit’s Voice Matters
Katherine Schweit is not just another commentator. She’s a former FBI Special Agent, a lawyer, a journalist, and the author of Stop the Killing: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis. She was handpicked after Sandy Hook to build the FBI’s Active Shooter Program.
Her perspective comes from decades of experience investigating violence, shaping policy, and working alongside victims, communities, and lawmakers. At a time when fear and misinformation dominate the conversation, her voice is rooted in fact, strategy, and saving lives.
👉 To learn more from Katherine Schweit, explore her books and podcast.