TL/DR –
High-profile political attacks in the U.S. have increased concerns about the rise of politically motivated violence, including several recent assassination attempts on President Trump and other politicians. While some people and experts believe that these attacks signal a rise in political violence, others, including researchers specializing in political violence, argue that these incidents may not necessarily indicate a broader trend, especially considering the nation’s history of political conflict. Understanding the motivations driving these attacks is complex and challenging, and although the visibility of these incidents has been amplified due to social media, experts say more compelling data is needed to definitively claim a significant increase in political violence.
U.S. Political Attacks: A Sign of Rising Political Violence?
U.S.’s recent high-profile political attacks highlight the nation’s deep divisions. However, they might not denote a general increase in political violence, experts suggest. The growing concern amplified this April when a 31-year-old man attempted an attack at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, arrested before reaching President Donald Trump. The suspect has been charged with attempted assassination of the president, among other accusations.
These events follow a series of 2025 political attacks that fostered a perception of rising political violence. A 2025 Pew Research Center poll showed that 85% of respondents believed political violence was escalating in the U.S. Nevertheless, experts argue that trends are challenging to discern and whether recent attacks signal a new era of political violence is unclear.
U.S. History and Political Conflict
The U.S. history is filled with political violence instances. The late 1800s and early 1900s witnessed multiple presidential assassinations. The 1960s and 1970s were marked by assassinations and bombings committed by radical political groups. According to Dartmouth’s Polarization Research Lab, which tracks U.S. political violence, there were over 120 instances of political violence in 1970, in contrast to last year’s ten incidents. Despite the ebb and flow of political violence, pinpointing their causes remains challenging.
Studying Political Violence: Challenges
Researching political violence is fraught with difficulties due to the relative rarity of these events and lack of clear motivations of perpetrators. Known “risk factors” influencing violent actors’ behavior exist, but a unique pathway into political violence doesn’t, says Thomas Zeitzoff, a professor at American University. Moreover, interviewing people involved in extremist groups or ideologies presents its own challenges.
Why Recent Political Attacks May Feel Different
Increased visibility due to social media and heated political rhetoric differentiate today’s attacks from past violent periods. Despite this, strong data showing an increase in support for violence due to heightened partisan identification is lacking, says Zeitzoff. Support for politically motivated violence per recent polling is mixed. A series of surveys reveals only a small percentage of respondents support partisan violence. Despite recent events, Sean Westwood, an associate professor at Dartmouth College, expresses optimism for the U.S.’s future, citing its resilience throughout tumultuous periods in the past.
—
Read More US Political News