As investigators work to uncover the motive behind the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there are growing concerns about political violence in the United States. Researchers say the numbers prove political violence is on the rise, and they warn of a dangerous and volatile inflection point for the country.From political protests to threats and harassment, to violent attacks, researchers say the frequency of these incidents are up across the board. But the most alarming trend, they say, is the intended target. Researchers at the University of Maryland reported that 35% of all terror events tracked in the first half of 2025 were directed at government staff or facilities, more than double compared to 2024.Michael Jensen from the university's Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) emphasized that the political violence has moved from civilian targets to government entities."We've witnessed, in our data collection, a tremendous increase in the number of terrorism events," Jensen said. "Almost all of that increase has been driven by events that targeted what we call government entities. So, that could be lawmakers, both Democrat, Republican, that can be the agents that are carrying out immigration enforcement operations."The trend is hitting the federal level and local communities hard.Princeton University researchers tracked 250 incidents of threats and harassment against local officials in the first six months of 2025, noting a 9% increase compared to 2024."We're undeniably headed in the wrong direction when it comes to risk," Shannon Hiller from Princeton University's Bridging Divides Initiative said. "This should be a wake-up call, that this is a really dangerous environment."Experts say plots and attacks come from across the political spectrum, driven by no single political party, ideology, or movement, but can create a dangerous cycle of violence."Terrorism is a performative act. It's meant to be seen by people. It's meant to try to influence political outcomes," Jensen said. In extremists' minds, it's meant to hopefully encourage others to join the fight."Bipartisan researchers at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report that the number of domestic terrorist attacks and plots against government targets in the last five years has nearly tripled over the last 25 years combined.Experts attribute the rise in political violence to a mix of factors, including a toxic information environment, polarizing rhetoric on social media, pandemic-era isolation, and access to weapons and firearms. They suggest solutions should start with political leaders denouncing calls for retribution and restoring funding for violence prevention programs. Voters can also contribute by holding leaders accountable at the ballot box.Political Violence TimelineWatch the latest on political violence in the U.S.:
WASHINGTON — As investigators work to uncover the motive behind the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there are growing concerns about political violence in the United States. Researchers say the numbers prove political violence is on the rise, and they warn of a dangerous and volatile inflection point for the country.
From political protests to threats and harassment, to violent attacks, researchers say the frequency of these incidents are up across the board. But the most alarming trend, they say, is the intended target.
... this is a really dangerous environment."
Researchers at the University of Maryland reported that , more than double compared to 2024.
Michael Jensen from the university's emphasized that the political violence has moved from civilian targets to government entities.
"We've witnessed, in our data collection, a tremendous increase in the number of terrorism events," Jensen said. "Almost all of that increase has been driven by events that targeted what we call government entities. So, that could be lawmakers, both Democrat, Republican, that can be the agents that are carrying out immigration enforcement operations."
The trend is hitting the federal level and local communities hard.
Princeton University researchers , noting a 9% increase compared to 2024.
"We're undeniably headed in the wrong direction when it comes to risk," Shannon Hiller from said. "This should be a wake-up call, that this is a really dangerous environment."
Experts say plots and attacks come from across the political spectrum, driven by no single political party, ideology, or movement, but can create a dangerous cycle of violence.
"Terrorism is a performative act. It's meant to be seen by people. It's meant to try to influence political outcomes," Jensen said. In extremists' minds, it's meant to hopefully encourage others to join the fight."
Bipartisan researchers at the that the number of domestic terrorist attacks and plots against government targets in the last five years has nearly tripled over the last 25 years combined.
Experts attribute the rise in political violence to a mix of factors, including a toxic information environment, polarizing rhetoric on social media, pandemic-era isolation, and access to weapons and firearms.
They suggest solutions should start with political leaders denouncing calls for retribution and restoring funding for violence prevention programs. Voters can also contribute by holding leaders accountable at the ballot box.
Political Violence Timeline
Watch the latest on political violence in the U.S.:
