Individuals who have publicly criticised Kirk or made perceived insensitive comments regarding his death are being threatened, fired, or doxed. THE BIRTH OF MCCARTHYISMThe McCarthy era may well have faded in our collective memory, but it’s important to understand how it unfolded and the impact it had on America. Another double standard: attempts to silence anyone criticising Kirk’s divisive ideology, while being permissive of his more odious claims. Like the McCarthy era, it partly depends on the public reaction to Trump’s tactics. Without concerted, collective societal pushback against this new McCarthyism and a return to democratic norms, we risk a further coarsening of public life.