What We’re Watching - 9/30/25
With so much going on, it is understandable for people to feel news whiplash. To help our partners stay focused and find the signal in the noise, we are happy to share what we are tracking:
The Main Point: Democratic norms and institutions are under pressure — from political violence to media suppression and federal overreach. Yet moments of resilience remind us that by coming together, we can still make a difference.
Some Examples:
Political violence targeting key figures and facilities– Recent attacks show that political violence is a serious and growing problem. The recent assassinations of Charlie Kirk and a Democratic state lawmaker in Minnesota illustrate a concerning escalation in political violence. Like other forms of violence, political violence fuels a cycle of retaliation and intensification, which is only exacerbated by divisive rhetoric.
First Amendment and the Media– ABC's (now lifted) suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after FCC threats have sparked debate about government pressure on the media. Vocal pushback from other hosts, public figures, and viewers successfully pressured ABC affiliates to reverse, showing that collective response has influence.
National Guard deployments expand to other U.S. cities– National Guard deployments are reportedly expanding to Memphis, Portland, and potentially other cities. The latest expansion raises questions about whether these actions are driven by public safety needs or political considerations, and whether normalizing military presence in civilian spaces serves or undermines the safety concerns Americans actually have.These concerns have been amplified by President Trump’s remarks at today’s meeting with U.S. generals proposing to use American cities as “training grounds” for the military.
"Domestic terrorism" memo concerns nonprofits– A presidential memorandum directs federal law enforcement to investigate nonprofits, donors, and financial networks that it believes are supporting political violence. Civil liberties advocates across the political spectrum have raised concerns about distinguishing between actual political violence and using law enforcement tools for political retaliation against those that disagree with the Administration, potentially chilling First Amendment activities.
Why it matters: These developments highlight the thin line between genuine security measures and actions that undermine civic freedoms. How we respond — as advocates, partners, and communities — can have real-world impact in preserving democratic principles. Faith leaders can counteract the cycle of rising political violence by reducing the temperature and modeling healthy conflict management in our communities.
