American Discourse Is Getting More Extreme, Just Ask Gary Gensler
A volatile political climate in the US has led to a surge in threats against government officials. FOIA records related to violent threats against SEC Chairman Gary Gensler and lawmakers reveal how extreme American discourse has become.
Gary Gensler, chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), talks to Jaime Lizarraga, commissioner at the SEC, before a meeting at the SEC headquarters in Washington, DC on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
Photographer: Samuel Corum/BloombergWelcome to another edition of FOIA Files. Over the past few weeks, I’ve obtained documents from the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Protective Service related to violent threats against SEC Chairman Gary Gensler and lawmakers. They’re disturbing, to say the least. If you’re not already getting FOIA Files in your inbox, sign up here.
A volatile political climate in the US has led to a surge in threats against government officials. To get a sense of how extreme American discourse has become, you can peruse the documents I recently obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.