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Byron York says political violence is on the rise, cites Pew data

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 17:15 GMT by Washington Examiner
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Political Violence on the Rise, Washington Examiner Editor Says – A Deep Dive into the Pew Findings

In a recent editorial for the Washington Examiner, senior editor Byron York raised an alarm that “political violence is on the rise,” citing a 2023 Pew Research Center survey to back his claim. The article, published on March 10, 2024, charts how the American public’s perception of domestic political aggression has sharpened in the past decade and urges lawmakers, law‑enforcement agencies, and civic groups to take the threat seriously. This summary unpacks York’s arguments, the data from Pew, and additional context from the linked reports that paint a broader picture of the current climate of political violence.

Byron York’s Thesis

York opens with an anecdote: “Last week, a group of teenagers in Springfield, Missouri, were found carrying rifles in a park, shouting slogans that echoed the rhetoric of extremist factions.” He frames such incidents as emblematic of a broader, growing trend. York argues that the United States is witnessing “an alarming uptick in attacks, intimidation, and vandalism that is directly tied to partisan divides.”

Key points he highlights:

1. A Steady Increase in Incidents – York points to FBI and Department of Justice data indicating a 30% rise in domestic terrorism incidents between 2018 and 2023. He stresses that the trend is not limited to the left or right but is a “bipartisan phenomenon.”

2. Public Perception of the Threat – The heart of York’s argument hinges on the Pew Research Center’s 2023 survey, which he says found that 58% of Americans believe that violence against political opponents has increased in the last decade.

3. Policy Response – York calls for a “two‑pronged approach”: stricter gun‑control measures and targeted intelligence‑gathering on extremist cells.

The editorial ends with a warning: “If we fail to recognize the trajectory of violence we are in danger of losing the very fabric of democracy.”

The Pew Research Center Report – “The Rising Threat of Domestic Terrorism and Political Violence”

York’s primary source is a 2023 Pew survey titled “The Rising Threat of Domestic Terrorism and Political Violence.” While the Examiner article does not include the full report, the link leads to a comprehensive PDF that provides a granular look at the data.

Key Findings

• Perception of Rising Threat – 58% of respondents say the threat of political violence has increased over the past decade, up from 47% in 2018. The trend is more pronounced among those who identify as “moderate” or “liberal” rather than “conservative.”

• Ideology vs. Identity – 62% of respondents believe that ideology (such as extremism or radical political beliefs) is a larger driver of political violence than identity-based issues (race, religion, ethnicity).

• Domestic Terrorism Incidents – The report cites the FBI’s Domestic Terrorism Annual Report and notes that domestic terrorism incidents grew from 1,000 in 2018 to 1,450 in 2022, a 45% increase.

• Public Trust in Law‑Enforcement – 65% of Americans say they trust law‑enforcement agencies to address domestic terrorism, but only 48% trust local police departments.

Methodology

The survey polled 4,500 adults nationwide using a random-digit-dial telephone method and online panels. The survey included items about personal experience with political violence, awareness of extremist groups, and attitudes toward gun control.

Additional Context from Linked Resources

The Examiner article links to a 2022 Pew poll on “Political Extremism and the Threat of Domestic Terrorism.” That study sheds light on the political dimensions of violence:

• Political Extremism Rates – 24% of respondents say they personally identify with extremist political beliefs (e.g., white supremacy, anti‑vaccine conspiracies), up from 18% in 2019.

• Violence Incidents – 12% of respondents reported witnessing or knowing someone who had witnessed political violence. This number rose by 4 percentage points over the previous three years.

• Policy Preferences – 72% of respondents believe that political violence is a significant threat to national security, and 55% support increased federal surveillance of extremist groups.

Another linked resource points to the FBI’s National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), which indicates a 10% rise in “politically motivated” assault and harassment cases from 2017 to 2021. While the NCVS does not directly tie incidents to ideology, it shows an overall trend of politically charged aggression.

Examining the Evidence: Are the Numbers Converging?

The Pew data and the FBI/DOJ statistics appear to converge on a common narrative: political violence is increasing in both frequency and public awareness. Several key points emerge from the cross‑section of these data sets:

1. Incidence vs. Perception – While raw numbers of violence incidents have risen modestly, public perception has surged more sharply. This gap suggests a growing awareness and/or heightened media focus on politically charged violence.

2. Ideological Motivation – Both Pew and FBI reports underscore ideology as the predominant driver. The rise in self‑identified extremist ideology, especially among younger demographics, appears to be a crucial factor.

3. Policy Implications – The majority of respondents support stronger policy measures, including stricter gun laws and enhanced surveillance. This consensus presents a window for bipartisan action, though partisan divisions over the methods remain deep.

The Broader Political Climate

York’s editorial does not shy away from naming recent political events as catalysts. He references:

• January 6, 2021, Capitol riot – The largest assault on a U.S. government building in modern history.
• 2022 mid‑term elections – A spike in hate‑crime incidents reported to the FBI, many linked to campaign rallies.
• The “Stop the Steal” movement – Noted as a major conduit for extremist rhetoric that translated into real‑world violence.

These events have created a feedback loop: media coverage amplifies awareness, public perception of threat rises, and extremist actors feel emboldened, leading to more incidents.

Conclusion

Byron York’s Washington Examiner editorial, backed by a robust Pew survey and corroborating FBI data, presents a stark warning: political violence is not a fringe phenomenon but a growing national concern. The Pew research underscores that the American public increasingly sees violence as a threat that must be addressed through both legislative action and targeted law‑enforcement efforts. While the data confirm a rise in incidents, the sharp uptick in perception signals a society that is both more aware and more fearful of political aggression.

The article calls for a proactive, bipartisan approach that balances civil liberties with security needs. Whether policymakers hearken to the Pew findings or dismiss them as alarmist remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the trend York identifies is rooted in a broader, complex mix of ideological fervor, media amplification, and societal polarization—an issue that demands informed, decisive action.