Election Violence Is Already in Full Swing

The Council on Foreign Relations’s Jacob Ware points out that the U.S. is already neck deep in election-related violence.

Many political figures daring to run for public office have similarly found themselves in the crosshairs over the past several months .

Byman: The primary threat appears to be targeted against politicians and other public officials.

Julian Zelizer : 2024 election violence appears to conform with broader trends in terrorism.

He says social media radicalization and lone-actor terrorism allow extremists to operate without detection by law enforcement.

Zelizer says sometimes election violence does not require a distinct partisan ideology.

Foreign adversaries may also be capitalizing on fears of political violence to stoke division, he says.

The Department of Homeland Security recently designated Jan. 6, 2025 , as a National Special Security Event , opening up new resources and placing the Secret Service as the lead agency.

Law enforcement has conducted trainings to prepare for possible threats at various locations.

Some of the more strategic countermeasures that might prevent or complicate violence won't be implemented in time for the election.