When Politics Turns Perilous: The Rise of Partisan Attacks in America
Between 2016 and 2025, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) recorded 25 attacks or threats targeting elected officials, political candidates, judges, and government employees that were fueled by partisan motivations. To place that figure in context: in the two decades before 2016, only two such incidents were noted. The numbers speak for themselves—something has fundamentally shifted in the tenor of American political life.
The most striking feature of these incidents is that they span the ideological spectrum. Both left-leaning and right-leaning perpetrators turned political grievances into violent action or threats. In theory, this balanced blame might foster recognition that extremism is not borne exclusively from one side, but in practice it has done little to cool the nation’s overheated political rhetoric.
Why the Surge?
Several converging trends help explain why political actors and public servants have become targets more frequently:
Polarization as identity: Political identity in the United States has grown increasingly central to how people see themselves. Disagreement has, in many cases, morphed into distrust, disdain, and outright hatred of the opposing camp.
The role of social media: Platforms have amplified divisive rhetoric, spread misinformation, and created echo chambers that normalize extreme views.
Decline in institutional trust: Courts, legislatures, and bureaucracies are now viewed suspiciously by sizable portions of the public, making their officials lightning rods for anger.
A culture of performance politics: Politicians frequently reward outrage rather than encourage restraint, treating intense rhetoric as a mobilization tool—even as it erodes personal safety and civility.
A Chilling Effect on Public Service
When candidates, judges, or officials face threats for carrying out their roles, the consequences ripple far beyond partisan electioneering. Fear of violence shrinks the pool of those willing to serve, distorts public debate, and undermines the functioning of democratic institutions. The health of a democracy depends on more than free and fair elections—it requires a safe environment in which public servants can deliberate and decide without fear for their lives.
More Heat, Less Light
The rise of partisan attacks has not quieted political discourse. Instead, it has escalated the temperature. Vitriolic attacks, conspiratorial rumors, and calls to “fight” an opponent dominate conversations at both the grassroots and elite levels. Each violent threat becomes another log on the fire of mutual suspicion, reinforcing rather than diminishing antagonism.
What Next?
The CSIS findings present an uncomfortable truth: political violence has become a recurring feature of the American landscape. Yet awareness can be the beginning of response. Some possibilities include:
Creating bipartisan agreements that condemn violence unequivocally.
Investing in civic education that highlights tolerance, consensus-building, and rule of law.
Holding leaders accountable when they use rhetoric that normalizes the possibility of violence.
Expanding security protections for public servants while balancing transparency and accessibility.
The period from 2016 to 2025 demonstrates the risks of a political culture willing to excuse or even encourage violent expression of beliefs. Addressing these risks demands reflection and action by leaders, media, and citizens alike. Without such reflection and action, threats may not only multiply—they may redefine what it means to engage in American public life.
💚Charlie Kirk is an American conservative activist, author, and media personality. He is best known as the founder and president of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a nonprofit organization he started in 2012 when he was 18 years old. TPUSA’s mission is to promote conservative values, especially among young people and on college campuses, focusing on free markets, limited government, and individual liberty.
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