Extremist Violence In America
Extremist Violence in America: A Persistent and Evolving Threat
The United States continues to grapple with a persistent and evolving threat of domestic extremist violence, which is increasingly characterized by political polarization, online radicalization, and attacks by lone offenders. While the overall threat landscape is complex, recent data highlights shifts in the frequency of violence across ideological spectrums and an overall rise in politically motivated incidents, and the unchecked and biased media on both sides contributes to this significantly by being allowed to twist the truth or outright tell boldfaced lies that are undoubtedly and immediately accepted as truth.
Key Trends in Domestic Extremism
Analysis from government agencies and independent research groups points to several critical trends shaping the current extremist threat
The Normalization of Political Violence
There is growing concern that support for political violence is spreading from extremist fringes into the mainstream, leading to a normalization of violent actions. High-profile, politically motivated killings such as the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and the killing of a Democratic state representative and her husband in 2024, illustrate this growing and increasingly volatile environment. Threats during the 2024 election cycle, including death threats, intimidation, and doxing against election workers, further reflect the penetration of political violence into democratic processes.
Modern Modus Operandi
The methods and structure of domestic extremist activity are also evolving:
Rise of the Lone Offender: The threat has largely shifted from large group conspiracies to attacks carried out by lone offenders or small, amorphous cells. These individuals often radicalize quickly online and can mobilize to violence with little warning, making them difficult for law enforcement to identify and disrupt.
The Online Catalyst: The internet and social media remain pivotal tools for both domestic and international violent extremists. They facilitate the spread of extremist propaganda, enable radicalization and recruitment, and allow for the virtual coordination of activities. Encrypted messaging services and imageboard sites are key components of this online ecosystem.
Targeting Government and Infrastructure: In the first half of 2025, a significant percentage of violent events tracked by researchers more than double the rate in 2024 of targeted U.S. government personnel or facilities. This highlights a focused threat against state institutions and public servants across the political divide.
Law Enforcement Response
Federal law enforcement, including the FBI and DHS, has designated domestic terrorism as a national priority. The number of FBI domestic terrorism investigations has dramatically increased in recent years. Authorities are focused on developing strategies to investigate and disrupt networks and individuals engaged in political violence, with a focus on crimes such as:
Assaults on federal officers.
Conspiracy against Constitutional rights.
Organized doxing, swatting, and civil disorder.
In a hyper-polarized environment, the threat of extremist violence is now understood as a dynamic, dual challenge, requiring robust efforts to counter both the enduring danger of extremism and the rising trend of politically-motivated violence across the board. We all should do our part to help stop the spread of misinformation that could lead to helping radicalize individuals and call out the media on both sides for contributing to this escalating problem before it continues to get worse.
