With Election Day approaching and fears of unrest looming, tensions between political supporters are escalating across the U.S.
In a recent incident underscoring these concerns, a 17-year-old Trump supporter was arrested on Saturday for allegedly assaulting a 70-year-old woman at a pro-Kamala Harris rally in Stuart, Florida.
The rally, known as “Rally on the Bridge” and organized as part of the nationwide Women’s March, was held to support Vice President Harris and Florida’s Amendment 4, a measure aimed at safeguarding abortion rights. The event took a violent turn when a group of Trump supporters appeared, stirring tensions that led to the assault.
According to police reports, the teenager wore a T-shirt featuring an image of Trump raising his middle finger in front of an American flag.
Witnesses say he punched Harris supporter Kathleen Tomasko, knocking her to the ground. “I was standing there, and this kid just turned around and punched me,” Tomasko recalled. “He punched me in the gut, knocked me to the ground. Thankfully, two ladies were behind me, so I didn’t hit my head.”
The 17-year-old was arrested on charges of battery on a person 65 years of age or older, according to Stuart Police Department spokesperson Brian Bossio. “Several people pointed him out as he was walking away,” Bossio said. “I was able to get him, walk him over to the car, and detain him.” Witnesses reported that the boy had been in a separate altercation with another Harris supporter before he struck Tomasko.
Tomasko, a veteran of political events, expressed shock at the attack, saying she had never experienced such violence at a rally.
“My girlfriend called me from Massachusetts and said, ‘Kathy, we’ve done rallies like this for years, and nothing like this ever happens,’” she shared. Although she initially declined medical treatment, Tomasko later considered going to the hospital due to pain in her hip.
The incident highlights the heightened tension in the political climate as Election Day nears. Across the country, officials are preparing for potential unrest, particularly from Trump supporters if he loses.
The Secret Service has installed additional security fencing around key locations in Washington, D.C., including the White House and Capitol, fearing a repeat of the January 6 Capitol riot.
For many, the clash at the Harris rally underscores a broader concern that Trump’s rhetoric around election fraud and alleged injustices may fuel aggressive responses from his supporters. Authorities are bracing for possible violence, similar to the unrest seen in 2020.
Tomasko’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the country’s deep divisions and the potential dangers of rising political hostility.
“I’ve been attending rallies for decades, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said, unsettled by the unprovoked violence. As the nation awaits Election Day, the prospect of further unrest remains a troubling reality.
