The shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses this weekend are just the latest

instances of targeted political violence in America. A trend experts say is being exacerbated

by increased polarization and heated rhetoric from public figures. William Brangham joins us

now with more. Umna, as you say, these disturbing acts are part of a pattern that we've seen playing out over the last few years.

A congressman at a baseball practice, the family of the former Speaker of the House,

Pennsylvania's governor, and candidate Donald Trump, all targets of graphic political violence.

To help us better understand the root causes and potential solutions for this, we are joined

again by Cynthia Miller Idris.

She's a professor at American University and the author most recently of Man Up, the new

misogyny and the rise of violent extremism.

Cynthia Miller, Idris, so good to have you back on the program.

Before we get into this broader trend, I want to ask you about this attack over the weekend

in Minnesota.

We know that the alleged suspect there, targeted Democrats and their spouses, and his list of potential victims

were also all Democrats. Is there anything else about his history that gives us some clues

as to his motivations? Well, thanks for having me. It's good to see you again, William.

You know, the history of this particular attacker included some very anti-LGB statements and very strong anti-abortion stances,

including language in a speech in sub-Saharan Africa that depicted sort of gendered changes in the U.S. as motivated by the enemy, like the enemy has

seeped into their souls kind of language. So what you see is somebody who is motivated not just

to attack progressive causes or politicians, but also really saw gender and women's reproductive rights and LGBTQ issues as a kind of existential threat.

And is that a more common theme that emerges with these kinds of attackers?

I mean, it's so common that it's shocking how often we silence it or ignore it, to be honest. It's very

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