On a stormy September evening in Des Moines, the annual Polk County Democrats’ Steak Fry fundraiser unfolded under a cloud of national turmoil. Just days earlier, on September 10, 2025, the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk had sent shockwaves through the United States, igniting a political firestorm and exposing the nation’s deepest partisan rifts. As U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen took the stage as keynote speaker on September 13, the tension in the air was palpable—a reflection of the broader crisis gripping American democracy.
Van Hollen, the senior senator from Maryland, wasted no time addressing the moment’s gravity. "These are very troubling and stormy times in America," he began, referencing the recent murder of Kirk. "After the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk, we are reminded again about how fragile our democracy can feel." According to coverage from the event, he was clear: the answer to this violence could not be more violence or vengeance. "We will not be silenced. We will speak out for what we believe, vigorously, courageously, and peacefully."
But across the country, Kirk’s assassination had already triggered a cascade of accusations and recriminations. According to reports from multiple outlets, prominent conservative figures immediately blamed "the Left" and the Democratic Party’s rhetoric for the killing, with some voices even calling for the party to be banned as a "terrorist organization." Before authorities had apprehended a suspect or released any information about motives, this incendiary narrative spread rapidly online. The suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, was later identified by authorities as having no known political affiliation, not belonging to any party, and not having voted in the last two elections.
In Washington, an intended moment of silence for Kirk on the House floor quickly devolved into chaos, laying bare the raw political divisions. Republican Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado demanded an audible prayer, declaring, "I believe silent prayers get silent results." Her request was met with jeers from Democrats, some of whom pointed out that a school shooting in Colorado that same day had not received such an honor. Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida shouted across the aisle, "You guys caused this," to which a Democrat retorted, "Pass some gun laws!" The exchange underscored the bitterness and the mutual suspicion that now defines so much of American political life.
Van Hollen, in his address, repeatedly urged Democrats to fight back against what he called President Donald Trump’s "lawless regime." He cited Trump’s "contempt for the Constitution," his pardoning of those who committed felonies during the January 6 Capitol attack, and his administration’s crackdown on student protesters. "Trump claims to stand for free speech, but locks up students for exercising it," Van Hollen charged. He also accused the president of "playing politics with the National Guard" and ignoring "the scourge of gun violence in America."
On the economic front, Van Hollen criticized recent Republican policies, including the summer’s budget reconciliation bill—initially dubbed the "one big, beautiful bill" and later rebranded as a "working families tax cut." He argued that the law provided tax breaks for the wealthy while slashing health care and food assistance, "exploding the national debt." He warned that at the end of 2025, tax credits subsidizing Affordable Care Act premiums would expire, putting 4 million Americans at risk of losing their health insurance and forcing another 20 million to face steep premium hikes.
Van Hollen mocked Trump’s promises to lower grocery and housing prices "on day one," contending that "his sweeping tariffs amount to a national sales tax on the American people." He added that electricity costs were rising "because Donald Trump is waging a war against wind power." He further accused Trump of "racketeering and rank corruption on a grand scale," citing alleged crypto schemes and the selling out of national interests to foreign powers. "It is Trump first, it is American last, and we cannot stand for it," Van Hollen declared.
Back in the nation’s capital, the debate over Kirk’s assassination continued to escalate. President Trump, in a speech, blamed "the radical left’s rhetoric" for the killing, saying, "The radical left’s rhetoric, comparing great Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the worst murderers and criminals in history, is directly responsible for the terrorism we are witnessing in our country today." He vowed that his administration would prosecute "everyone who contributed to this crime and other acts of political violence, including the organizations that fund and support them." Conservative commentators and social media personalities amplified this message, with some labeling the Democratic Party "a domestic terrorist organization" and calling for its ban.
Some right-wing voices went further still. Far-right activist Laura Loomer declared, "The Left are terrorists," warning that Kirk’s assassination was a precursor to "more targeted assassinations. You could be next." Others, like conservative political consultant Joey Mannarino, insisted, "The Democrat Party must be designated a domestic terrorist organization and its members and leaders treated accordingly. It’s over." The rhetoric was nothing short of apocalyptic. Fox News host Jesse Watters intoned, "Whether we want to accept it or not, they are at war with us. And what are we going to do about it?" The calls for a crackdown grew louder, with some demanding military tribunals and the banning of left-leaning media outlets.
Van Hollen, meanwhile, urged Democrats to resist intimidation and double down on their principles. "Every patriotic American must stand up and be counted," he told the crowd. He excoriated Republicans in Congress for having "totally surrendered their constitutional duties," describing them as "rubber stamps inflicting severe damage on America." He called on Democrats to win control of the House and Senate, highlighting Iowa’s "critical role" with its competitive districts and open Senate seat.
But Van Hollen also turned his gaze inward, warning that "the Democratic Party is facing a reckoning." He lamented that the party had "drifted" under the sway of powerful interests, becoming "too cautious, too rudderless, too attached to poll-washed and pundit-rinsed and donor-dried messages." He invoked the legacy of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, urging Democrats to welcome the hatred of Wall Street and other powerful interests. "People don’t trust the Democrats to take on those interests," he admitted, insisting the party must fix a "rigged tax system," empower unions, end secret campaign money, and make polluters pay for the harm they cause.
On immigration, Van Hollen condemned mass deportation and family separation, while supporting border security and due process. He criticized the Trump administration’s foreign policy, particularly its handling of Ukraine and Gaza, and called for an end to the war and the return of hostages. He didn’t spare his own party, accusing it of "feckless" complicity and calling for more accountability.
Van Hollen closed with a call to action: "It is up to us. There is no cavalry coming." He urged support for Democratic candidates in the 2025 elections, including New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdami, stressing that victories this year would build momentum for 2026 and beyond. "We must seize this moment to fight for our future: in the courts, in the Congress, and in communities like this all over America."
As partisan anger rages and the country stands at a crossroads, the stakes for American democracy have rarely felt higher—or more personal. For Van Hollen and many others, the imperative is clear: the fight for the nation’s soul cannot wait.
