Conspiracies Seed Violence That Leads to Political Upheaval

When it comes to political violence Americans are numb and jaded.

Repeated attacks against lawmakers and political figures have had a numbing effect upon the public at large.

Experts say that when people see violence repeatedly, their early shock begins to dull, and the societal impulse to demand change fades. Despite the escalation of violence on the front pages of newspapers, TV, and social platforms, the public's heightened exposure seems to be breeding a kind of passive normalization rather than resistance.

How bad is the violence in political circles today?

Let's put it this way; Matt Dallek, a political historian at George Washington University recently said, "You'd have to go back to the pre-Civil War era to find a similar level of threats and acts of violence."

Research from Princeton University's Bridging Divides Initiative found that threats and harassment against local officials increased by 10% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

The U.S. Capitol Police reported that threats against members of Congress more than doubled between 2017 and 2024.

And get this; according to 2025 Global Peace Index, global peacefulness is continuing to decline, driven by geopolitical tensions and conflicts that are resisting traditional resolution methods. It's not just the United States experiencing record levels of violence.

Another sobering thought is online radicalization, fueled by disinformation and conspiracy theories, is inspiring unpredictable acts of violence by lone actors. It was a radicalized young man who shot and killed Charlie Kirk.

One of the signs that the public are becoming desensitized to political violence, is the news cycle around violent incidents is shorter. There are exceptions, however. In Kirk's case he's being treated like a martyr among conservatives and the coverage surrounding Kirk is more extensive than usual.

Take a look at the most recent school shooting last week in Colorado. Coverage of that horrible event has been minimal. Americans are so jaded about school shootings the coverage has been spotty at best, thanks to the NRA lobby that doesn't want to see any restrictions on their deadly toys.

As a result, we're seeing a chilling effect on civic engagement, with local officials and politicians becoming less willing to run for re-election or to participate in public events. The Republicans in particular are leery of holding town halls where their constituents have been unloading on them in an aggressive fashion. 

Political leaders across the spectrum are facing increased security concerns. While some appeal for unity, others like Trump, have been criticized for blaming the "radical left" for the attack on Charlie Kirk.

As it Stands, the one thing political experts agree on is that conspiracy theories are the major driver of extremism and violence in our country today.