A Nation Divided: The Chilling Embrace of Political Violence in the United States

In this Jonathan Turley article, new polling data reveals a deeply fractured American public, with alarming shifts in attitudes toward democracy and even political violence.

• A growing percentage of Americans now believe political violence can be justified in certain circumstances, reflecting a dangerous erosion of democratic norms
• Partisan divides are intensifying, with Democrats and Republicans increasingly viewing each other not just as opponents, but as existential threats
• Younger respondents are more likely than older generations to tolerate or rationalize political violence
• Trust in core institutions—including elections, Congress, and the judiciary—continues to decline across the board
• Many Americans express concern that the country is heading toward instability or even potential civil conflict
• The survey highlights how media narratives and political rhetoric may be fueling fear, distrust, and radicalization
• Turley warns that normalizing political violence, even rhetorically, undermines the constitutional system and risks long-term consequences

Read the full story: https://jonathanturley.org/2026/04/28/a-nation-divided-new-survey-shows-changing-views-of-democracy-and-political-violence/