Rising Political Violence in the US: Why Attacks on Leaders Are Increasing

Rise in U.S. Political Violence Reaches New Heights in 2026

On April 27, 2026, an FBI tactical team surrounded a house in Torrance, California, linked to the suspected shooter behind an attempted attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner the previous weekend. The incident marked the latest in a surge of political violence in the United States, a trend documented by multiple independent datasets and confirmed by law enforcement agencies.

The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly rushed a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives, intending to target members of the Trump administration. The attack followed a string of high-profile incidents, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025, the shooting deaths of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband in June 2025, and the firebombing of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home earlier that year. Former President Donald Trump has now survived three assassination attempts, with the most recent occurring at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

The Data Behind the Trend

Tracking political violence over time presents challenges, as researchers define the term differently and datasets often rely on media reports, which can be inconsistent. Despite these limitations, multiple sources point to a clear upward trend.

The U.S. Capitol Police, which monitors threats against members of Congress, their families, and staff, reported a marked increase in threat assessments since data collection began nine years ago. Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative found a sharp rise in threats against local officials following key political events, including the 2024 presidential election and the death of Charlie Kirk. The University of Maryland’s Global Terrorism Database, which tracks political violence from 1970 to 2020, noted that assassinations and attempted assassinations began increasing worldwide in the mid-2010s after a decline in the 1990s.

A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, published by the Wall Street Journal on April 27, 2026, revealed that antigovernment violence in the U.S. Reached a 30-year high in 2025. For the first time in two decades, more attacks were attributed to left-wing extremists than right-wing extremists, though the overall volume of violence remained elevated across the political spectrum.

Drivers of the Surge

Researchers and public opinion surveys identify several factors contributing to the rise in political violence. A 2025 Pew Research Center study found that Americans cited partisan polarization, growing acceptance of violence, and the influence of social media as key reasons for the increase. Many respondents described political opponents as fundamentally “evil,” a sentiment that has intensified divisions.

Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote in an April 2026 analysis that individuals frustrated with the political system increasingly view violence as a legitimate solution. “Those who are angry about our politics, but do not see a path to resolve issues through normal means, now believe that violence might be a solution,” she stated.

Conspiracy theories and online disinformation have also played a role. Unlike extremists of past decades, who often operated within organized groups, many modern perpetrators have self-radicalized through social media. While the motives of Cole Tomas Allen remain under investigation, a document he allegedly drafted before the attack, published by the New York Post, suggested a moral imperative to resort to violence.

Political Rhetoric and Blame

In a press conference on April 27, 2026, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attributed the latest attack to “hateful and violent rhetoric directed at President Trump,” claiming it had “helped legitimize this violence.” While some research supports the idea that inflammatory language can normalize violence, experts caution that the relationship is complex and not limited to one political faction.

Academic studies, including a 2025 analysis by researchers at the London School of Economics, emphasize that elite rhetoric—particularly from politicians and influencers—can fuel polarization, and violence. The report noted that hostile language from political leaders, combined with the rise of partisan media and online echo chambers, has created a self-reinforcing cycle of division.

What Comes Next?

The long-term consequences of rising political violence remain uncertain. UCLA law professor Jon Michaels, an expert on the subject, warned in a 2025 interview that the trend reflects a broader abandonment of democratic norms. “We are leaning heavily into our tribal identities and essentially abandoning our underlying commitments to reasoned disagreement,” he said. “If One can’t solve things through the ballot box, we’re going to solve things through intimidation, aggression, and murder.”

As investigations into the latest attack continue, the focus remains on addressing the root causes of political violence, from online radicalization to the erosion of civil discourse. For now, the trend shows no signs of abating.