Most Americans see political violence on the rise: Survey

A new survey from the Pew Research Center found that a clear majority of respondents believe political violence in the U.S. is increasing.

The poll, released Thursday, found that 85 percent of respondents believe that politically motivated violence is on the rise, including 86 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning respondents and 85 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning respondents. 

The survey found a clear partisan divide, though. While 77 percent of surveyed Republicans said that left-wing extremism is a major problem, 27 percent said the same about right-wing extremism. Among Democrats, 76 percent said that right-wing extremism is a major problem, while 32 percent say left-wing extremism is a major problem. 

Forty-nine percent of Republicans and 47 percent of Democrats said extremism from those without clear political views is a major problem. 

The survey comes in the wake of multiple recent instances of political violence and threats against public officials in the U.S.

Last month, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at an event in Utah. 

President Trump also faced two assassination attempts during the 2024 presidential campaign. A man also set fire to Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence in April, while Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot at their home in June. 

Respondents cited multiple explanations for recent political violence. Twenty-eight percent of Democrats mentioned the rhetoric and behavior of Trump, elected Republicans or the MAGA movement, while 16 percent of Republicans mentioned the rhetoric and behavior of Democratic officials or liberals. 

Respondents also cited as potential explanations for political violence political polarization (11 percent), a lack of understanding of those with different values of perspectives (10 percent), a normalization of violence (9 percent), social media (6 percent) and television or other traditional media (6 percent).

A poll from earlier this month found that 30 percent of Americans believe some violence is justified to get the country back on track, while a survey from last month found that 11 percent of respondents believe political violence is sometimes justified. Another poll last month found that 79 percent of respondents believe the country is in a political crisis.

The Pew Research Center survey, conducted Sept. 22-28, polled 3,445 U.S. adults either online or via phone.