Weren't the lawmakers that were killed Democrats?
It's sad when anyone is killed.
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My friend says political violence has increased on the left, is that true?
Your friend’s assertion that political violence has increased on the left is a complex and nuanced topic. Recent events and studies indicate that while there has been a notable uptick in politically motivated violence in the United States, the majority of these incidents are attributed to right-wing extremists.
Recent Trends in Political Violence
A significant incident highlighting current tensions occurred on September 10, 2025, when Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and ally of Donald Trump, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. The FBI recovered a high-powered rifle believed to have been used in the killing, and while two individuals were initially detained, they were later released. The gunman remains at large, and authorities are continuing their investigation .
This event has intensified concerns about escalating political violence in the U.S. Experts warn that such incidents could trigger a “vicious spiral” of retaliatory attacks, further deepening divisions in an already polarized nation .
Comparative Analysis of Left-Wing and Right-Wing Violence
Studies have examined the prevalence and severity of political violence associated with different ideological groups. Research co-led by the University of Maryland found that, in the United States, right-wing extremists are more likely to commit violent acts compared to left-wing extremists. Specifically, the probability of a violent act being committed by a right-wing extremist was found to be 0.61, compared to 0.33 for a left-wing extremist .
Globally, the Global Terrorism Database indicates that attacks by Islamist extremists are more likely to result in fatalities than those by right-wing extremists. However, left-wing extremist attacks are generally less likely to result in fatalities compared to right-wing attacks .
Recent Concerns About Left-Wing Violence
Despite the overall lower incidence of violence associated with left-wing groups, there have been concerns about increasing radicalization and support for political violence among some left-of-center individuals. A report from the Network Contagion Research Institute revealed that a significant number of Americans identifying as “left of center” expressed support for deadly violence against figures like President Trump and Elon Musk .
Additionally, in Europe, left-wing and anarchist extremist activities have been on the rise. The European Union’s Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2023 noted an increase in violent acts, including arson and attacks on police personnel, by left-wing and anarchist extremists in 2022 .
Conclusion
While there has been a recent uptick in politically motivated violence in the United States, the majority of these incidents are attributed to right-wing extremists. However, concerns about increasing radicalization and support for political violence among some left-of-center individuals are emerging. It’s essential to approach this issue with nuance, recognizing the complexities of political violence across the ideological spectrum.