From threats to attacks, growing trend of politically motivated violence highlights dangerous climate

Is the political temperature in America running into the danger zone? Frankly, research and hard data on political violence aren’t readily available, but a growing trend of threats against public officials can’t be ignored. In 2024 alone, U.S. Capitol Police, who are like the Secret Service for Congress members, investigated more than 9,000 threats against lawmakers, marking an 83% increase from the year prior. That year, then-former President Donald Trump survived an attempt on his life at a rally in Pennsylvania and another alleged assassination attempt while golfing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.