Since the storming of the Capitol on January 6th, 2021, there have been at least 300 cases of political violence identified by the authorities. This includes the two shooting attempts faced by Donald Trump, three shootings at the Democratic campaign office for Kamala Harris, and the home invasion of Nancy Pelosi’s residence. For the past decade these types of attacks have been on the rise, creating a violent system. The rise can be attributed to several factors including polarization, lack of condemnation, and the growing dissatisfaction with government officials.
Political violence, as outlined by the World Health Organization, is the use of power or force, both psychologically or physically, to achieve political goals. This includes violence against public officials but also violence due to protesting specific political issues. According to a recent PBS poll 1 in 5 Americans think violence will solve political issues in the US. The belief that there is no way to reconcile differences, that the only way to have the voices of the citizens heard is through violence has become increasingly prevalent. Yet to resort to violence undermines the principles America has been founded upon. Many experts now believe that democracy in America has started to erode, that the ideals past generations would never have broken are the ones now being consistently broken by extremists who believe violence is the only option.
Violence has become a norm partly because of the increased polarization. Jesse Shapiro, a professor at Brown University, believes that the political parties have become “homogeneous.” This lack of diversity within the party itself makes it harder for people to understand other parties. Ideologically much of the party may line up under certain issues leaving no room for other perspectives, so when it comes to understanding a whole other party there is a gap much larger than before.
Because of the lack of federal funding for public broadcasting, partisan media outlets monopolize attention. Additionally, many people only look at one of these news sources, therefore not taking into account the full picture. The effect this produces is tunnel vision in terms of information, creating a gap which also adds to polarization. Polarization makes it harder for people to understand the other side, making them resort to violence faster.
Political violence in the United States has also risen due to the lack of condemnation of political violence in the past. In fact, there is an acceptance by those in office of this kind of violence. President Trump’s statement on how the election was stolen in 2021 led to an uptake in political violence. Through his rhetoric he continued to push this ideology and even subtly hinted to violence being acceptable. Trump has mocked the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband and claimed that if he wasn’t elected there would be an economic “bloodbath.” By using harsh rhetoric like this, Trump fans the flames of violence and also takes part in polarizing the country.
Trump has also granted everyone who was involved with the January 6th riots clemency except 14 individuals who he gave a reduced sentence to. These types of actions perpetuate the idea that individuals can get away with participating in violence. On January 6th armed rioters entered the Capitol in hopes of stopping the counting of the votes, which led to even more violence. Yet, President Trump stood by their actions claiming that a “national injustice” had taken place against them. The lack of condemnation has led other people to follow in their footsteps and become violent at protests, believing that it is part of their right.
According to a Pew Research Center study, 63% of Americans had little to no belief in the political system. 78% also believe that the issues that Americans are facing are getting too little attention. Ultimately this contributes to the idea that the government isn’t on the side of the people. To many it can feel like that they have to take it into their own hands to truly see change.
Political violence is an issue that has been on the rise but has seriously rocketed the past few years due to numerous factors. It leads many to question the integrity of the country and whether or not it can withstand this erosion of peaceful democracy. This unchecked violence could lead to division and fear ruling our future. The cost of letting this violence grow will only set a dangerous precedent for the generations to come.
