The political landscape in the United States is facing a new and troubling reality: left-wing terrorism and political violence are on the rise, reaching levels not seen in three decades. According to a comprehensive study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the first half of 2025 has seen an uptick in attacks and plots attributed to left-wing extremists, marking a significant shift in the country’s domestic threat profile. The study, which analyzed 750 domestic attacks and plots from January 1, 1994, through July 4, 2025, reveals a surge in left-wing incidents, outpacing right-wing violence for the first time in the CSIS database.
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) brought national attention to the findings, sharing the study’s results and expressing deep concern about the escalating violence and the rhetoric that fuels it. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Fetterman stated, “Unchecked extreme rhetoric, like labels as Hitler or fascist, will foment more extreme outcomes. Political violence is always wrong — no exceptions. We must all turn the temperature down.” His call for restraint comes amid a heated and polarized political environment, where accusations and inflammatory language have become commonplace.
The CSIS report provides a detailed breakdown of the recent trends. From 1994 through 2000, left-wing incidents averaged just 0.6 per year. That figure doubled to 1.3 annually in the following decade. However, since 2016, there has been a sharp increase, with an average of four left-wing terror attacks per year between 2016 and 2024. By July 4, 2025, five left-wing attacks or plots had already been recorded, excluding the high-profile assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, setting the stage for what could be a record-breaking year. As the CSIS analysis explains, “In absolute terms, left-wing incidents are on track in 2025 to reach historically high levels in the last 30 years.”
In contrast, right-wing violence, which has historically been more frequent, has seen a notable decline in 2025. For the first time since CSIS began tracking these incidents, the number of left-wing attacks surpassed those from the right. The data show that since 2016, left-wing extremists have been responsible for 41 attacks, compared to 152 by far-right extremists over the same period. Despite the increase in left-wing violence, the lethality of these attacks remains relatively low. Over the past decade, left-wing violence has killed 13 people, far fewer than the 112 deaths caused by right-wing attacks and 82 attributed to jihadist extremists.
The recent surge in violence has been punctuated by several high-profile incidents. On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated during a question-and-answer event at Utah Valley University. According to Breitbart News, Utah Governor Spencer Cox revealed that the alleged assassin’s rifle bullet casings were etched with messages like, “Hey fascist! Catch!” The attack shocked the nation and intensified debate over the role of political rhetoric in inciting violence.
The violence has not been limited to a single event. In Grand Blanc, Michigan, a gunman drove his vehicle through the doors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opened fire on worshippers, and set the church ablaze. Four people were killed and eight others injured in the attack. Other recent incidents include multiple assassination attempts on President Donald Trump during his 2024 campaign, the murder of two staffers at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
Senator Fetterman has been a vocal critic of inflammatory rhetoric, particularly since the assassination of Kirk. He has repeatedly urged Americans to avoid extreme language, warning of its potential consequences. In an interview on Fox News, Fetterman said, “Don’t ever, ever compare anyone to Hitler and those kinds of extreme things. Now, look what happened to Charlie Kirk.” He continued, “And if you want a Democrat that’s going to call people Nazis or fascists or all these kinds of things, well, I am not going to be that guy. … I happen to believe the truth, regardless if it’s the Republican or the Democratic voice.”
The study’s release comes as President Donald Trump and several Republican leaders have also called for an end to political violence. On September 25, 2025, President Trump signed a memorandum directing federal agencies to take action against organized political violence, including allocating funds to prevent and protect against such threats. In a statement, Trump said, “The United States requires a national strategy to investigate and disrupt networks, entities, and organizations that foment political violence so that law enforcement can intervene in criminal conspiracies before they result in violent political acts.” He cited the murder of Charlie Kirk and the attack on the ICE field office in Dallas as examples of the ongoing threat. On Truth Social, Trump posted, “This violence is the result of the Radical Left Democrats constantly demonizing Law Enforcement, calling for ICE to be demolished, and comparing ICE Officers to ‘Nazis.’ The continuing violence from Radical Left Terrorists, in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, must be stopped.”
The debate over responsibility for the rising violence has become deeply politicized. While the CSIS data show that right-wing extremists have been responsible for more attacks and fatalities over the past decade, the recent spike in left-wing incidents has alarmed both sides of the political spectrum. Some Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have continued to use charged language against Trump administration officials, labeling them as “fascist” even after Kirk’s assassination. Critics argue that such rhetoric only adds fuel to the fire, potentially encouraging more extreme actions.
Despite the alarming trends, the CSIS report notes that left-wing perpetrators “rarely do so with deadly effect,” and their attacks, while increasing in frequency, have not matched the lethality of right-wing or jihadist violence. Nevertheless, the shift in the pattern of political violence has prompted calls for a renewed focus on de-escalation and bipartisan efforts to address the underlying causes.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, voices from across the political spectrum are urging Americans to reject violence and inflammatory rhetoric. Senator Fetterman’s words ring especially true in this moment: “Political violence is always wrong—no exceptions.” The need to “turn the temperature down” has rarely felt more urgent, as leaders and citizens alike search for ways to restore civility and safety in American political life.
