# When, If at All, Are Assassinations Justified?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/free-inquiry-audio-edition-7055830/when-if-at-all-are-assassinations-justified
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/free-inquiry-audio-edition-7055830/when-if-at-all-are-assassinations-justified.md
Podcast: [Free Inquiry Audio Edition](https://stenobird.com/podcast/free-inquiry-audio-edition-7055830)
Published: 2026-05-06T16:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://646ef2be-1f48-43ae-b5f1-b4ac9bd4e95a.libsyn.com/when-if-at-all-are-assassinations-justified
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Duration seconds: 369

## Resource

Ronald A. Lindsay argues that while assassination can be morally justified under extreme conditions—such as in the case of a dictator like Adolf Hitler where no peaceful change is possible and killing could prevent greater harm—those conditions do not apply in a functioning democracy. Despite concerns about the actions of Donald Trump , Lindsay concludes that assassination is unjustified and morally wrong in this context because democratic mechanisms for change still exist and violence would likely worsen the situation. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/when-if-at-all-are-assassinations-justified/ About the Author: Ronald A. Lindsay is the former president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry, recent interim general counsel for CFI, and editor of Free Inquiry magazine. Subscribe to Free Inquiry: https://secularhumanism.org/subscribe/

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