During the unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Aug. 25, 2020, two men lost their lives at the hands of an armed teenager. The circumstances surrounding that use of force are tragic. Violent protests and riots are inexcusable and cause damage, injuries, and sometimes death. In the end, a jury found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on all counts. Given the evidence and eyewitness testimony, this was the overwhelmingly correct conclusion.

The Rittenhouse trial captured nationwide attention, amplifying the deep division between the Left and Right. What should have been a local story of self-defense grew far beyond that. Rittenhouse’s critics believe he was a vigilante, drunk on temporary power. Rittenhouse’s supporters believe he was defending life, defending property, and exercising his rights. It is true that the rioters shouldn’t have been there that night. It’s also true that a 17-year-old boy shouldn’t have placed himself in that situation. Ultimately, the moments in question weren’t the product of a crazy individual with premeditation on his mind. Rittenhouse defended himself when faced with aggressors. He was right to do so.