Comment A broad and bipartisan majority of Americans are concerned that there is an increased risk of politically motivated violence in the United States, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. Nearly 9 in 10 Americans (88 percent) are concerned that political divisions have intensified to the point that there is an increased risk of politically motivated violence in the United States, including more than 6 in 10 who are “very concerned.” Of the two parties, more Americans blame the Republican Party more for the risk of violence, but the difference is not wide — 31 percent, compared to 25 percent who blame the Democratic Party more. Another 32 percent blame both parties equally. Most Democrats and Republicans blame the opposing party. The poll came a week after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked in their home by a hammer-wielding assailant and later hospitalized. The alleged The attacker, David Depp, 42, shouted ‘Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?’ after breaking into Pelosis’ home, according to someone briefed on the attack. DePape’s online writings contain “deeply racist and anti-Semitic writing — as well as pro-Trump and anti-Democrat posts,” the Washington Post reported. On Wednesday afternoon, President Biden called on the nation to accept the fundamental principles of democracy — to accept the election results and avoid resorting to violence. “We must, with an overwhelming unified voice, speak as a country and say there is no place, no room for voter intimidation or political violence in America, whether it’s directed at Democrats or Republicans,” Biden said. “No place, period. No place, ever.” Detailed cross-references of poll results The FBI and other government agencies issued a memo last week warning of an increased likelihood of domestic extremist violence in the 90 days after the election, according to a copy of the document obtained by The Post. “After the 2022 midterm elections, perceptions of election-related fraud and dissatisfaction with election results will likely lead to increased threats of violence against a wide range of targets – including ideological opponents and election workers,” the note said. The Post-ABC poll finds that 95 percent of Democrats, 87 percent of Republicans and 86 percent of independents are at least somewhat concerned that there is an increased risk of politically motivated violence. Three-quarters of Democrats are very worried, compared to smaller majorities of independents and Republicans (61 percent and 56 percent). Two-thirds of Democrats (66 percent) say the Republican Party is most responsible for the risk of political violence, while 56 percent of Republicans blame the Democratic Party. A plurality of independents, 39 percent, say both parties are to blame, while 24 percent place more blame on Republicans and 20 percent on Democrats. Women are more likely than men to be concerned about the increased risk of politically motivated violence: 92 percent of women say they are concerned compared to 83 percent of men. More than two-thirds of women worry a lot. Women are also more likely to blame the Republican Party for the risk of violence — 38 percent blame Republicans the most while 18 percent blame Democrats and 33 percent blame both equally. Among men, 32 percent blame Democrats, 24 percent blame Republicans and 30 percent blame both equally. Politically motivated violence is not only a threat to the rich and powerful. Experts tracking political violence say threats against local election workers, school board members and even librarians have been simmering for months. “If someone targets these individuals and then decides to mobilize, there’s virtually nothing to stop them,” Michael Jensen, a senior researcher at the University of Maryland’s START Consortium on Terrorism Research, told Post reporters. The Washington Post-ABC News poll was conducted from Oct. 31-Nov. 2 in a random national sample of 1,005 adults, with 75 percent reaching cell phones and 25 percent landlines. The overall results have a margin of sampling error of four percentage points. Scott Clement contributed to this report.
