HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 173
Reps. Puri, Fitzgerald, Rheingans, Young, Glanville, Wooden, Scott, Skaggs, Martus, Brixie, Longjohn, Morgan, Tsernoglou, Witwer, Conlin, Wilson, Andrews, McKinney, Steckloff, Dievendorf, Wegela, Snyder, Grant, Herzberg, Rogers, Liberati, Breen, Miller, Tate, T. Carter, Myers-Phillips, Xiong, Koleszar, MacDonell, Price, Hope, O'Neal, Neeley, Weiss, Mentzer, Farhat, Edwards, Hoskins and B. Carter offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Democracy is built upon vigorous debate, free speech, and the peaceful exchange of ideas, all of which are imperiled when violence is used as a political weapon; and
Whereas, In recent years, the United States has witnessed a disturbing escalation of politically motivated violence, intimidation, and threats directed at public officials, their families, and engaged citizens; and
Whereas, on July 13, 2024, President Donald Trump survived an attempted assassination at a public rally, an incident that further inflamed tensions and underscored the real dangers faced by political figures; and
Whereas, On September 10, 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a public event, in yet another attack designed to silence political expression through violence; and
Whereas, On June 14, 2025, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were killed in a politically motivated attack, and State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were seriously injured in the same incident; and
Whereas, In the early morning of April 13, 2025, an arsonist set fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro?s residence and was the target of violent threats, reflecting the unacceptable risks imposed on those serving in public office; and
Whereas, Members of Congress have likewise faced violence, including Representative Gabrielle Giffords, grievously injured in a 2011 shooting; Representative Steve Scalise, critically injured in a 2017 attack during a congressional baseball practice; and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, who was brutally attacked in their home in 2022; and
Whereas, Michigan has also been touched directly by these threats, including the 2020 kidnapping plot against Governor Gretchen Whitmer, which highlighted the dangers extremist violence poses not only to leaders but to the stability of our democracy; and
Whereas, These incidents, though targeting individuals of differing parties and ideologies, share a common danger: they seek to erode democratic participation, silence debate, and intimidate those who step forward to serve; and
Whereas, Experts and reports indicate the U.S. is experiencing its highest level of political violence since the 1970s.
Whereas, According to a University of Maryland researcher who tracks terrorism, the U.S. recorded roughly 150 politically motivated attacks in the first half of 2025, nearly double the number from the same period in 2024.
Whereas, Increased rhetoric: Americans increasingly believe that harsh political rhetoric is fueling violence, according to a September 2025 Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Whereas, Political violence has no place in Michigan, in the United States, or in any society that values freedom, justice, and the rule of law; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body condemn political violence in all forms and affirm the commitment of the Michigan House of Representatives to civility, safety, and the peaceful exercise of democracy.; and be it further
Resolved, That we reaffirm our commitment to the principles of civility, respect, and peaceful discourse as the only legitimate means to resolve political differences in our democracy; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Governor of Michigan, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, and members of the Michigan congressional delegation.