Rising Political Assassination Threats Alarm U.S. Leaders

House Speaker Mike Johnson blamed the left for fostering an "assassination culture" amid concerns about threats against political figures, despite the fact that a man pardoned by President Donald Trump and charged with threatening Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries had previously participated in the January 6 Capitol riot. While Halloween celebrations continue with creativity and some troubling incidents such as vandalism, the holiday also normalizes horror themes that may impact children’s understanding of violence and fear, as exemplified by a child dressing as a real-life serial killer character without grasping the underlying brutality. The psychological horror genre, rooted in early films emphasizing mental anguish and unreliable perception, has evolved through notable works that address trauma, grief, and social commentary, remaining a significant cultural phenomenon during Halloween. Additionally, horror movies often feature high death tolls, with some films reaching thousands of on-screen killings, a topic explored by enthusiasts through detailed "kill count" analyses, highlighting the genre’s fascination with violence and mortality.