In recent weeks, political violence in the U.S. has surged ahead of the November 5 presidential election, with at least 300 cases of violence documented since the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Two incidents stand out: in York, Pennsylvania, a man attacked a rally supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, punching a 74-year-old man and hurling a racial slur at another; meanwhile, in northern Michigan, an 81-year-old Trump supporter was deliberately run over by a man enraged by his disdain for the former president. These are just two examples of a larger wave of political violence not seen in the U.S. since the 1970s.
The violence has escalated this year, with 51 incidents already reported, including two assassination attempts on Donald Trump. In one instance, a man was shot dead by law enforcement after trying to kill Trump at a rally. In Arizona, three separate shootings targeted a Democratic campaign office for Harris, while other cases range from fights over yard signs to brawls at political rallies. Although most of the incidents have not resulted in fatalities, political extremism experts warn that the charged atmosphere around this year’s election could spark even more violence.
Experts in political violence, including University of Chicago’s Robert Pape, have compared the current political landscape to a “wildfire season” with dangerous potential for “lightning strikes.” He warns that the increasingly tense situation, particularly in battleground states where votes are expected to be tight, could lead to outbreaks of violence post-election, regardless of the results. Trump himself has refused to rule out the possibility of violence, telling Time magazine earlier this year that if he loses, “it depends” on whether his supporters react peacefully.
One of the most high-profile instances of violence occurred in Pennsylvania, where a 74-year-old man, Alan Vandersloot, was attacked during a Harris campaign rally. Vandersloot was thrown to the ground and repeatedly punched by a man who fled after calling another rally attendee a racial slur. The attacker, Robert Trotta, is a registered Republican with a history of harassment and assaults. Although police initially said the attack wasn’t politically motivated, witnesses disagree, and Trotta is facing assault and harassment charges.
In another shocking case, 81-year-old Carl Nelson, a Vietnam veteran and Trump supporter, was run over by a man driving an all-terrain vehicle in Michigan. The suspect, 22-year-old Joshua Kemppainen, had gone on a rampage targeting Trump supporters, vandalizing their property and destroying pro-Trump yard signs before attacking Nelson. Kemppainen, who had mental health issues and was reportedly on anti-depression medication, fatally shot himself shortly after the incident. Nelson spent several days in the hospital with serious injuries but has vowed to vote for Trump in the upcoming election.
The assassination attempts on Trump have put law enforcement on high alert, with heightened fears of retaliatory violence. After one failed attempt in July, a man in Florida was found burying a cache of weapons in a public park, preparing for what he described as “war.” Although authorities intervened before he could act on his threats, the incident highlights the risk of more widespread violence in the run-up to the election.
Political violence has not been confined to disputes over the election. Reuters documented violent confrontations over issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. One such case involved Caleb Gannon, a pro-Palestinian activist, who attacked a pro-Israel rally in Massachusetts, leading to a violent altercation that ended with him being shot by a rally participant. Gannon is currently hospitalized, while the shooter, a war veteran named Scott Hayes, is awaiting trial on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Other incidents have been directly tied to election campaigning. In Michigan, a postal worker was assaulted by a man who was angered by a Harris campaign flyer delivered to his mailbox. The attacker, 61-year-old Russell Valleau, threatened the postal worker with a knife and used a racial slur against Harris, before being subdued with pepper spray. He now faces charges of assault and ethnic intimidation.
The rise in politically motivated violence has alarmed local communities, with many Americans worried about the impact on daily life. In North Carolina, four white men shot at Black teenagers after asking them if they supported Donald Trump. When the teens said “no,” the men opened fire with a BB gun, injuring two and damaging property. The father of one of the victims expressed his shock at the incident, noting that political tensions have become more pronounced since the 2020 election, even in small, rural communities.
As the election nears, experts warn that the already volatile situation could worsen. Nealin Parker, head of the nonprofit Common Ground USA, noted that violence is increasingly seen as a normal part of American politics, a dangerous shift in public perception. In a climate of deepening mistrust and polarization, Parker says, even isolated incidents have the potential to escalate into something far more dangerous.
