Barbara McQuade writes:

Political violence has existed in the United States since its founding. But in recent years, we have seen an increase in the incidence of threats and harassment against public officials. The Minnesota killings were reminiscent of the 2022 attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband in their home by a hammer-wielding intruder. Last year the U.S. Capitol Police documented a surge in threats against members of Congress, with more than 9,000 incidents.

Threats against judges are also on the rise. In his year-end report, Chief Justice John Roberts noted more than 1,000 serious threats against federal judges in the past five years, as well as an increase in incidents of doxxing, or publicly releasing personal information, such as a phone number or home address. Swatting, in which a 911 caller falsely reports an emergency situation at a target’s home to lure tactical police units to respond with guns drawn, has become a frequent occurrence at the homes of public figures.

Local officials also report an increase in hostile incidents. Nine men were convicted or pleaded guilty after participating in the 2020 plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan after her shutdown orders during the Covid pandemic. Mr. Trump recently mused about pardoning the defendants. This year, an arsonist set fire to the residence of Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania while he and his family slept.

The current threat climate is most likely the result of a confluence of events: the pervasiveness of social media, where anonymity makes it easy to lash out at strangers and where provoking outrage is rewarded; the increase in remote work, which reduces our exposure to other perspectives; and the drop in engagement in civic life, which confines us to our political tribes, separated from community members with different viewpoints.

The problem only escalates when we have a president who stokes outrage and division in society. Mr. Trump’s unique style of politics seems like a catalyst for the current climate of intimidation and fear. While his brand of discourse may be an effective way to campaign, it is a dangerous way to govern. People look to their leaders to model behavior that is not only acceptable but also to be emulated. We have a president who refused to denounce the extremist group then known as the Proud Boys, instead telling them to “stand back and stand by” during his 2020 campaign.

According to a 2022 Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team bulletin, “Violent extremists justify their actions through grievances, such as perceived government and law enforcement overreach, the anticipation of opposing legislative changes and the proliferation of misinformation and conspiracy theories.” Divisive speech from our leaders only adds fuel to the fire. [Continue reading…]