We Cannot Waiver in Our Committment to America’s Founding Principles, Especially in Our Most Challenging Times

Jan 30, 2026 by Emily Seidel

Any loss of life is always a tragedy, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those in Minneapolis.

As the nation’s largest grassroots organization committed to freedom and opportunity, we are in the business of free expression, organizing, and elevating the voices of millions of Americans on sometimes controversial and heated political issues.

We ask our teams every day to reach out to people, knock on their door, and engage on these issues. So, any time we see political tensions spiral into violence and the tragic loss of life, it hits home for us.

In these moments of crisis, we cannot waiver in our commitment to our founding principles of individual liberty, dignity, free expression, and the rule of law. Our history of holding these principles together – even in the most challenging times – is what makes our country so exceptional.

These principles are not just part of our past, but essential to navigating our most difficult moments today.

Americans must be able to exercise their constitutional freedoms — including speech, assembly, and peaceful protest — without fear of violence or intimidation. A strong, free society depends on people being able to speak out, organize, and hold government accountable.

At the same time, law enforcement officers must be able to carry out their duties without obstruction and without fear of their own safety. Protecting both liberty and safety requires a system grounded in clarity, accountability, and a responsible use of government power.

The tension in Minnesota is at a boiling point. There will be investigations, and that will be a critical part of the process to find out what went horribly wrong.

The path forward requires lowering the temperature, focusing on shared values, and working together to restore trust. Americans can hold multiple truths at once: we can value legal immigration, value the rule of law, and demand an approach that protects rights, prevents violence, and treats every person with dignity.

We urge our leaders to recognize the urgency of this moment and work together to deescalate this rising tenson and find a path forward that preserves our shared American values.