Alan Berg, talk show host, was shot to death. Guess the perpetrator's politics in this and 8 other attacks on Democrats [View all]

[Doodley]

Alan Berg — Liberal talk-radio host (KOA Denver) — June 18, 1984 — Killed (shot to death) outside his Denver home. Perpetrators were members of the white-supremacist, far-right group “The Order.” (Right-leaning extremist).

Here are eight more recent attacks targeting Democrats that put the Charlie Kirk shooting in perspective. Did Democrats react by trying to turn victims into martyrs? Did they react by trying to divide the country even more?


Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords — U.S. Representative (D-AZ-08) — January 8, 2011 — Shot in the head, severe brain injury at a constituent event in Tucson; survived but with permanent disability. Shooter Jared Lee Loughner was not formally tied to organized politics, but was influenced by far right anti-government and extremist conspiracy rhetoric (Right-leaning extremist).


Kurt Eichenwald — Journalist/commentator (Newsweek contributor) — December 15, 2016 — Suffered epileptic seizure when a Twitter user deliberately sent him a flashing GIF; perpetrator (John Rivello) was a Trump supporter who expressed right-wing motives online. (Right-leaning extremist).


CNN (media target) — Oct 22–Nov 1, 2018 — Mail bombs sent to CNN HQ and several Democrats; evacuations, no injuries. Perpetrator Cesar Sayoc was a fervent Trump supporter with far-right online presence. (Right-leaning extremist).


Gretchen Whitmer — Governor of Michigan (D) — October 2020 (plot foiled) — Foiled kidnapping/assassination plot; psychological trauma and ongoing security threats. Perpetrators were members of a far-right militia group influenced by anti-government rhetoric. (Right-leaning extremists).


Paul Pelosi — Spouse of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi — October 28, 2022 — Bludgeoned with a hammer, fractured skull, lasting nerve damage during San Francisco home invasion. Attacker David DePape was steeped in far-right conspiracy theories (QAnon, election denial). (Right-leaning extremist).


Multiple New Mexico Democratic officials — State/local Democrats — Dec 2022–Jan 2023 — Drive-by shootings at officials’ homes/offices; no physical injuries. Organizer Solomon Peña was a failed Republican candidate, aligned with Trump election denial. (Right-leaning extremist).


Sen. John Hoffman & Yvette Hoffman — Minnesota State Senator (DFL-Champlin) & spouse — June 14, 2025 — Both shot and wounded in related attack at their home; survived. Attacker Vance Boelter was a registered Republican anti-abortionist extremist. (Right-leaning extremist).


Melissa Hortman & Mark Hortman — Minnesota House Speaker Emerita (DFL) & spouse — June 14, 2025 — Both fatally shot in Brooklyn Park home invasion. The attack was also perpetrated by Vance Boelter. (Right-leaning extremist).