More Than Half of Americans Believe a Politician Could Be Assassinated Within the Next Five Years

Warning of the Onset of a 'Violent Populism' Era in the United States

A recent poll has found that more than half of Americans are concerned about the rise of political violence and believe that a politician running for office could be assassinated within the next five years.

Last September (local time), citizens at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, USA, are mourning political activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot. Photo by AP News Agency

According to a survey conducted by Politico, a U.S. political news outlet, and polling firm Public First from October 18 to 21 (local time), 55% of the 2,051 American adults surveyed said they expect political violence to increase in the future.

In particular, more than half of respondents said there is a possibility that a politician running for election could be assassinated within the next five years. This trend in responses was observed universally, regardless of support for the Republican or Democratic parties.

While 64% of respondents stated that political violence can never be justified, as many as 24% said it could be acceptable under certain circumstances. Notably, among respondents under the age of 45, one in three expressed the view that political violence can sometimes be justified.

Additionally, 41% of respondents said they feel hesitant to express their political views publicly. Among those who gave this response, the proportion who were concerned about the increase in political violence was even higher, at 68%.

Politico noted that incidents such as last year's attempted assassination of President Trump during the presidential election and the assassination of young conservative activist Charlie Kirk last September have heightened Americans' concerns about political violence. Robert Pape, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, warned, "Public support for political violence is growing within mainstream society," and cautioned that an era of 'violent populism' has arrived in the United States.

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