Karl Rove tells Sioux Falls audience that U.S. political system has been far more vicious than now

Violence, subversion of democracy, have marked U.S. politics in past ages

Karl Rove, left, speaks at the Law Appreciation Dinner on Nov. 9, 2022 in Sioux Falls. Attorney General-elect Marty Jackley and Sen. John Thune listen. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

People complain that the U.S. political system is partisan and broken, but American politics have been far more vicious and divided, conservative pundit and historian Karl Rove told an audience in Sioux Falls Wednesday night.

From the Vietnam War, to political assassinations and civil rights protests and suppression, the United States has seen times of much greater turmoil, Rove said.

“This happens all the time, but we as a country have amnesia and forget it,” Rove said.

“We go through periods that are crazy,” he added.

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