On Jan. 14 at the University of Washington, the Center for Journalism, Media, and Democracy (CJMD) hosted a discussion on political violence in the U.S. with The New Yorker staff writer Benjamin Wallace-Wells. Around 40 to 50 people filled the room, all students, faculty, staff, and community members interested in or studying journalism, communication, political science, and related fields.
Wallace-Wells spoke about his recent article “In the Line of Fire,” published in The New Yorker on Dec. 1, which examines the rise of political violence and threats against elected officials. Wallace-Wells said the idea for the article developed while he was reporting on politics and hearing from individuals working in political offices that threats had become routine. “It was in the air,” he said.