Escalating Political Violence: A Growing Concern in the United States

The recent assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and the attempted murder of another highlight a disturbing trend of increasing political violence in the United States. A review of available data and expert research reveals a pronounced shift in how often government officials, elected and appointed, local, state, and federal, are subjected to threats, harassment, and violence. While researchers do not predict a spike in violence, the data shows a steady increase in the number of local officials being targeted.

Key Takeaways:

• From January 2022 through April 2025, there were 1,766 threats and incidents of harassment made toward local officials nationwide, with an average monthly increase over the 39-month period.
• A linear regression analysis shows that, on average, the number of local officials being subjected to threats and harassment has increased since Princeton researchers began collecting data.
• 38% of 350 lawmakers surveyed by the Brennan Center for Justice reported seeing more frequent abuse since taking office, while an equal number said the abuse remained the same; only 16% said it had decreased.
• 43% of state legislators have been harassed, 4% have been attacked, and 1% of local officeholders have been attacked.
• Republicans are more likely to say frequency is increasing, while women are more likely to say seriousness is increasing.
• The Brennan Center recommends steps such as address confidentiality for public figures, while Princeton's Bridging Divides suggests defining threats and harassment consistently across states and local governments.
• Public leaders are urged to consistently condemn extremist behavior and emphasize that resolving policy differences in the United States does not involve violence.

Statistics:

• 1,766 threats and incidents of harassment made toward local officials nationwide from January 2022 through April 2025.
• 39 months of data showing an average monthly increase in threats and harassment.
• 38% of lawmakers have seen more frequent abuse since taking office.
• 43% of state legislators have been harassed.
• 4% of state legislators have been attacked.
• 1% of local officeholders have been attacked.
• 350 lawmakers surveyed by the Brennan Center for Justice.
• 16% of lawmakers reported a decrease in abuse since taking office.

Sources:

• MinnPost
• Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
• Princeton University's Bridging Divides
• Institute for Nonprofit News' On the Ground news wire