“The idea that there’s political violence or violence in America like this is just unheard of.”
Examples of political violence against U.S. presidents date back to Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Lawmakers, presidents and political candidates have also been targeted. U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., was injured in a 2011 shooting and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was injured in a 2017 shooting. The Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol is an example of political violence on a wider scale. Some rioters chanted to "hang" Vice President Mike Pence.