The Deflection Game: Political Violence and the Unraveling of MAGA Myths

In the relentless world of American politics, few tactics are as well-worn as deflection. Whenever the topic of Jeffrey Epstein’s files surfaces, Republicans seem to have perfected the art of changing the subject—usually by shifting the focus to supposed violence committed by the left. But reality, as ever, has a way of shattering even the most carefully crafted narratives.

Just this week, the right’s favorite talking point was once again upended in dramatic fashion. As Republican leaders railed against “leftist violence,” news broke that a man in New York—once pardoned for his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot—had been arrested again, this time for plotting to assassinate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The irony was almost too perfect.

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The media, ever eager for the next outrage, played footage of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson lamenting the dangers of left-wing protests. “What those people are advocating for is, at its essence, un-American,” Johnson declared, barely concealing his disdain. He congratulated left-leaning demonstrators for managing not to burn buildings during their gatherings, while conveniently ignoring the actual violence that had unfolded elsewhere. As Johnson spoke, the facts told a different story: during a recent protest, not a single left-wing marcher engaged in violence. Instead, a Trump supporter drove his truck into a crowd in Ohio, and a woman in South Carolina—wearing a Trump shirt—brandished a gun at rally-goers.

But the real bombshell was yet to come. Christopher Moynihan, a man who had already served time for his role in the January 6th insurrection, was arrested in Duchess County, New York. The charge: terroristic threats. According to prosecutors, Moynihan sent chilling text messages outlining his plan to “eliminate” Hakeem Jeffries during an event in New York City. Court documents revealed that Moynihan not only knew Jeffries’ schedule, but was actively plotting his assassination.

This wasn’t Moynihan’s first brush with infamy. During the Capitol riot, he was among the select few who breached the Senate floor, rifling through senators’ desks and even seizing control of the Senate dais. In 2022, he was found guilty and sentenced to 21 months in prison. But like more than 1,500 others, Moynihan was released early—thanks to a sweeping presidential pardon issued on January 20th, 2025.

The footage of Moynihan from January 6th is unforgettable: helmeted, carrying zip ties, ready for what he clearly envisioned as a full-scale insurrection. He was, by all accounts, a true believer—prepared to “hang Mike Pence” and take Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi into custody. Yet, despite the gravity of these actions, Republican leaders like Mike Johnson remain conspicuously silent about the violence emanating from their own ranks.

This silence is not just political expediency—it’s a deliberate refusal to acknowledge a growing body of evidence. Studies from the Cato Institute and the Anti-Defamation League, both respected and far from left-wing, have shown that the overwhelming majority of political violence and murders in America originate from the right. Yet, the myth of leftist violence persists, propped up by selective outrage and media complicity.

The story of Christopher Moynihan is more than just another news cycle scandal. It’s a stark reminder of the dangers posed by political radicalization, and of the consequences that follow when those in power refuse to confront uncomfortable truths. Pardoning insurrectionists and downplaying right-wing violence does not heal divisions—it emboldens the very forces that threaten democracy.

As America moves forward, the challenge is clear: to demand honesty from its leaders, accountability from its institutions, and a media landscape that refuses to let deflection and denial shape the national narrative. Only then can the nation hope to bridge the chasm of disinformation and reclaim the promise of its democracy.