Rising Sentiment: Why More Americans Believe Violence Could Be the Key to Restoring Order

Recent political violence in the U.S. has stirred serious concern. High-profile events include the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah and the murder of a Democratic legislator and her spouse in Minnesota. A Molotov cocktail was thrown at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion, and there were two assassination attempts on Donald Trump last summer.

In a recent PBS News/NPR/Marist poll, nearly one-third of Americans (30%) believe that violence might be necessary to ‘get the country back on track.’ This is a steep rise from about 19% just 18 months ago. Additionally, a significant 62% of respondents feel that the country is heading in the wrong direction, marking an 8-point increase since March. Among independents, this figure rises to 68%.

“It’s horrifying to think people feel political violence is their only option,” said expert Cynthia Miller-Idriss.

The poll reveals that only 38% of Americans believe the country is on the right path. Lee Miringoff, Director of the Marist University Institute for Public Opinion, noted that we are experiencing heightened polarization and unrest. “Our temperature is now well above normal,” he said.

Most Americans (around 75%) agree that politically motivated violence is a major issue, with concerns growing across party lines. A notable increase in alarm was seen among Republicans, with 84% now viewing it as a critical issue—up 15 points in three months. Miller-Idriss pointed out that Kirk’s assassination has been a turning point in public awareness regarding political violence.

Interestingly, the rise in violence is perceived differently across political lines. Nearly half of Americans feel more threatened by violence against public officials, while the other half worry more about violence against protesters. This division mirrors larger trends in our political landscape.

Cynthia Miller-Idriss emphasized the importance of universal condemnation of violence and de-escalation of violent rhetoric. “If we overlook this, we risk an authoritarian overreach,” she warned.

In the wake of Kirk’s death, some political leaders initiated campaigns to identify and criticize those who appeared to celebrate his demise online. Will Creeley, from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, expressed concern over this trend, arguing that it could lead to censorship and the suppression of free speech. “We’ve seen an unprecedented assault on freedom of expression,” he asserted.

According to the same PBS News poll, nearly 80% of Americans feel the U.S. has gone too far in restricting free speech. Just over 40% believe the government shouldn’t decide what constitutes unacceptable speech, reflecting a strong belief in protecting individual rights.

Comparatively, in a similar survey taken back in April 2025, many Americans favored the release of public information, indicating a push for transparency—especially concerning high-profile cases like the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The ongoing debates about gun rights after recent shootings show that while support for gun ownership remains, public demand for stricter controls is growing as well.

As these debates evolve, it’s clear that the conversation around political violence, free speech, and public safety remains urgent. Examining the past, we see increasing awareness and concern about political extremism, suggesting that these issues will continue to shape the national dialogue.

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