Most Americans See Political Violence as Growing Problem

Multiple polls (NPR/PBS News/Marist, Marquette and others) show a large majority of Americans view political violence as a growing problem, with roughly 70–79% opposing the use of violence but about 30% saying violence may be necessary to “get the country back on track,” a rise driven largely by Democrats. Surveys show sharp partisan divides over who poses the greater threat—most Republicans point to left-wing violence, most Democrats to right-wing violence, and independents are more likely to view both as problematic. Voters also differ on what they fear most: majorities of Democrats are more concerned about violence targeting protesters, while majorities of Republicans worry more about attacks on public officials. Experts warn that high-profile incidents, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and inflammatory rhetoric from political leaders have heightened public anxiety and that many attacks defy simple left-versus-right framing. Claims about which side is responsible are contested: some studies and reporting say right-wing extremists have killed more people since 9/11, while commentary from outlets like The Federalist contends recent political violence has been predominantly left-wing, complicating efforts to reach consensus on causes and responses.