Image: from “Trump Posts Image of Joe Biden Kidnapped and Bound With Rope.”

This page is part of a resource collection on far right extremism. See also the resource pages on The January 6 Capitol Insurrection and on the mainstreaming of political violence.

Political Violence in the Second Trump Administration

February 19.   Gabriel Sherman: “They’re Scared Shitless”: The Threat of Political Violence Informing Trump’s Grip on Congress.

March 25.   Ellie Silverman: Trump administration cuts national database tracking domestic terrorism.

June 14.   Tobi Raji: Manhunt underway for suspect in shooting that killed a Minnesota lawmaker

June 14.   Lisa Lerer: Like School Shootings, Political Violence Is Becoming Almost Routine. Threats and violent acts have become part of the political landscape, still shocking but somehow not so surprising.

June 16.   Elissa Salamy: Man drives into crowd of protesters at ‘No Kings’ rally in Virginia

June 17.   Rachel Leingang and Joseph Gedeon: How the right spread ‘brutal and cruel’ misinformation after Minnesota lawmaker killings. The rightwing media ecosystem spins up narratives to serve their agendas after tragic events, regardless of accuracy

June 17.   Megan Mineiro and Michael Gold: Members of Congress Press for More Security After Minnesota Attacks a Capitol security official briefed senators on enhanced security precautions, and lawmakers in both parties said more funding was needed to protect themselves.

June 18.  WIRED: The Minnesota Shooting Suspect’s Background Suggests Deep Ties to Christian Nationalism. Experts say that the suspect showed clear ties to forms of so-called charismatic Christianity that views abortion as a sacrifice to demons and seeks the end of secular democracy.

June 22.  TODAY video: Inside Look at the Rise of Political Violence in the United States.

July 2.  Sophie Bates: Daughter of Slain Civil Rights Leader Medgar Evers Sees ‘Painful’ Echoes of Political Violence in America.

July 30.   Pat Thomas: Danville Councilman set on fire; suspect arrested for attempted murder.

Weaponizing the Assassination of Charlie Kirk

September 10.   David Gilbert: ‘War Is Here’: The Far-Right Responds to Charlie Kirk Shooting With Calls for Violence. Prominent far-right figures and elected officials have called for vengeance following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

September 11.   Tess Owen: Far-right commentators echo Trump in calling for ‘vengeance and retribution’ for Charlie Kirk’s death: Even as the suspect and motive remain unknown, incendiary rhetoric from major political commentators spread rapidly online and Trump blamed the left.

September 13.   NPR: President Trump’s responses on political violence over time.

September 13.   Jordan Green: ‘The reckoning we need’: Radicals threaten violence after Charlie Kirk killing.

September 13.   Stephen Prager: Stephen Miller Vows to “Dismantle” the Left After Charlie Kirk Assassination: Miller threatened to deploy RICO and terrorism charges to persecute progressive organizations and individuals.

September 19.   Jordan Green: ‘Wicked and demonic’: GOP attacks on left over Charlie Kirk fuel small-town tensions.

September 19.   PBS: Extremism expert Cynthia Miller-Idriss assesses the shooting of Charlie Kirk, the Trump administration’s response, and the rise of political violence in America.

September 19.   Lydia Polgreen: The Fallout From Charlie Kirk’s Killing Reveals Two Truths of Trumpism.

September 20.   NBC News: ‘No evidence’ found yet of ties between Charlie Kirk’s shooting and left-wing groups, officials say.

September 20.   David Smith: How Trump is seizing on Charlie Kirk’s killing for a campaign of vengeance.

The Escalation of Political Violence During the First Trump Administration & Reelection Campaigns

Isaac Arnsdorf:

• Trump suggests in Carlson interview that U.S. could see more political violence: The former president also again defended the mob of his supporters that attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
• Trump stokes suspicions about assassination attempt, raising fears of more violence: After an initial period of relative restraint, the former president has begun blaming the shooting on his opponents and amplifying conspiracy theories.

Jennifer Bendery: Colorado Secretary Of State ‘Extremely Concerned’ About Pro-Trump Violence: Jena Griswold received 64 death threats and more than 900 threats of abuse within three weeks of the case being filed to keep Trump off the state ballot.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat & Norman Eisen: Context only makes Trump’s ‘bloodbath’ comment worse: Authoritarians know that to get people to overcome taboos about committing violence.

Philip Bump: In Waco, Trump stokes anger and valorizes violent actors.

CNN: Federal judge delivers rare response after Trump attacks the daughter of a judge.

Ruby Cramer: Trump is ‘fascist to the core,’ Milley says in Woodward book: The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says Trump is “the most dangerous person to this country,” echoing dire warnings of others in national security circles.

Paul Farhi: Trump’s violent rhetoric is getting muted coverage by the news media.

Mark Follman: JD Vance Reiterates False Claim That Democrats “Tried to Kill” Trump: The VP candidate and other Trump allies keep pushing a narrative that threat assessment experts say will fuel violence.

Jordan Green: How Trump ally Michael Flynn is priming supporters for violence ahead of the election.

George Lakoff & Gil Duran: Donald Trump and the language of violence: No one has done more to frame American politics in violent terms.

Mike Levine: ‘No Blame?’ ABC News finds 54 cases invoking ‘Trump’ in connection with violence, threats, alleged assaults.

PBS: Trump conspiracies inspire threats against judges, jurors and election workers.

Christopher Mathias: Trump’s Campaign Rhetoric Is ‘Fascist.’ It Will Inspire More Violence. According to experts, the GOP presidential nominee is instilling a dangerous level of fear in his followers, setting himself up as their savior. Their only hope.

Reuters: Trump blasts his trial judges. Then his fans call for violence.

J.D. Wolf: Trump Posts Image of Joe Biden Kidnapped And Bound With Rope: Trump signals approval of violent imagery targeting his political opponents.