Political violence in the United States has become a growing concern, highlighted by recent incidents involving threats and attacks. Last month, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed in Utah. This month, a man was arrested outside a Washington, D.C., cathedral with incendiary devices just before a mass attended by Supreme Court justices. Additionally, a Texas man faces charges for allegedly threatening conservative figures, while a pardoned January 6 rioter was arrested for making similar threats against Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The trend of politically motivated violence is alarming. A report by terrorism experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies indicates that while left-wing violence is on the rise, it remains significantly lower than historical levels of violence from right-wing and jihadist groups. However, 2025 is projected to be the first year in over three decades where left-wing attacks outnumber those from the far right, as leftist violence increases and right-wing violence decreases.

Support for violent actions against political opponents has also surged. Following Kirk's assassination, some individuals celebrated his death, particularly among left-leaning young adults. Research from the American Political Perspectives Survey shows that nearly half of Gen Z political liberals believe that "violence is often necessary to create social change." This sentiment is echoed by 43% of Gen Z moderates and 40% of Gen Z conservatives. Among Millennials, 44% of liberals support violence, compared to 28% of moderates and 41% of conservatives.

The data reveals a generational divide in attitudes toward political violence. For Generation X, 26% of liberals support violence, while only 14% of Baby Boomers do. When examining ideological categories, those identifying as "very liberal" consistently show the highest support for violence, with 44% across all ages. In contrast, support is lower among moderates and conservatives.

Men across all age and ideological groups are more likely to endorse political violence than women. Notably, Black Gen Z respondents show the highest support for political violence at 53%. In terms of education, individuals with advanced degrees are more likely to agree that violence is necessary for social change, with 40% of those holding graduate degrees expressing this view, compared to lower percentages among those with less education.

The findings suggest that political identity is deeply intertwined with personal beliefs, particularly among those who identify as very liberal. Many express a desire for romantic partners who share their political views, indicating the seriousness with which they approach their political identities.