Rising Anti-Government Violence in the U.S.
Research shows that anti-government violence is expected to hit a 30-year peak in 2025 and continue into 2026.
A study evaluating U.S. terrorist incidents, conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, covers the period from 1994 to 2025. The findings indicate that “domestic attacks and conspiracies against the U.S. government are at their highest level since at least 1994.” Interestingly, incidents attributed to the “far left” now surpass those from the far right.
“For the first time in two decades, we are seeing more attacks from left-wing extremists than right-wing ones,” according to the data. The analysis shows that out of 20 attacks and plots recorded in 2025, 10 were linked to the far left and 8 to the far right.
Many of the far-left incidents in the past year were aimed at immigration officials and facilities, likely as a backlash against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. There was also an attempted attack on the Republican Committee’s headquarters in Dickinson County, Michigan.
On the far-right side, violence is increasing as well. For example, in June, a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband were killed in Minnesota. Later, a man critical of COVID-19 vaccines fired shots outside the CDC headquarters, resulting in a police officer’s death.
In 2025, attacks labeled as “far-right” resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, whereas only one fatality was reported from “far-left” attacks. Notably, the study does not address the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, potentially because the accused, Tyler Robinson, is currently awaiting trial.
Additionally, the study points out that Molotov cocktails were frequently used in various attacks, including an incident last year at Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence and two attacks on ICE agents.
The investigation also follows an incident where 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen allegedly planned to target the president and several Cabinet members during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Allen, traveling from Torrance, California, arrived at the Washington Hilton carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.
In a manifesto, he reportedly stated, “Administrative personnel are prioritized from highest to lowest,” and expressed his anger over government actions.
Allen was arrested while attempting to breach a security checkpoint near the event, and U.S. Secret Service agents fired two shots during the encounter. Fortunately, only one agent was injured, saved by a bulletproof vest. There were no other injuries.
Following the incident, President Trump, who has survived two prior assassination attempts, urged Americans to resolve political differences through peaceful means.
Trump stated: “I ask all Americans to recommit in their hearts to peacefully resolving our differences… The crowd at the event was incredibly large, with a tremendous display of love and unity.”
