The death of Charlie Kirk has forced Washington to confront the reality of left-wing extremism, but some Republicans are already softening the focus with calls for “balance.” Senator James Lankford has once again reminded conservatives why he’s earned the nickname “Weak-Kneed James.” In an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, just days after the Charlie Kirk tragedy, Lankford decided the best response to left-wing violence was the tired “both sides” argument.
The setup was straightforward. Dana Bash asked about Stephen Miller’s fiery comments on Fox News, where he laid out the reality that leftist rhetoric has gone far beyond “spirited debate.” Miller pointed out that for years the Left has labeled conservatives “Nazis” and “fascists,” published their personal addresses, and celebrated violence against them. He noted the horrifying spectacle of bureaucrats, professors, and even healthcare workers openly cheering Kirk’s ass***ination online. His conclusion was simple: the country is dealing with a domestic terrorism movement rooted in radical left-wing extremism.
Sen Lankford is asked to respond to Stephen Miller’s comments about law enforcement aggressively pursuing leftwing organizations that foment violence.
He immediately goes into “both sides” mode and leads off his reply talking about white supremacy. pic.twitter.com/sK1qPsZBqU
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) September 14, 2025
Miller promised that under President Trump’s leadership, this would end. Whether through RICO, conspiracy, or insurrection charges, the administration will dismantle the networks organizing violence, doxxing conservatives, and terrorizing communities. His message to extremists was clear: Americans won’t live in fear, but those pushing political violence will live in exile.
Contrast that with Lankford’s mealy-mouthed response. Instead of directly acknowledging the left-wing extremist ties of Kirk’s assassin, Tyler Robinson, Lankford retreated to the “all extremism is bad” trope. He invoked Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber from nearly three decades ago, as if that tragedy has any bearing on the assassination of a conservative activist in 2025. Then he tried to lump everything together: white nationalists, leftist radicals, and lone wolves. “We should have equal application of the law,” Lankford said, sidestepping the fact that the assassin in this case was motivated by Antifa-style ideology, not generic “hate.”
What makes this even more frustrating is Lankford’s history. Conservatives haven’t forgotten his attempt to push a bill that would have allowed 5,000 illegal aliens into the country daily under Biden. Now, instead of standing firmly against the radical left’s violence, he parrots CNN’s narrative that the “real danger” is extremism from all corners.
Here’s the problem: the assassination of Charlie Kirk wasn’t carried out by some vague extremist. It was committed by a radicalized leftist, egged on by years of Democratic rhetoric painting conservatives as subhuman. Pretending “both sides” are equally guilty is not just cowardly, it’s dishonest. America needs leaders willing to name the threat, not politicians like Lankford who water it down to stay in CNN’s good graces.
Leave a Comment