Public officials from Congress to City Hall are now regularly subjected to threats of violence. It’s changing how they do their jobs.

There is little research on the political views of those behind the onslaught of abuse. Some surveys show that Republican officeholders are more likely to report being targeted, often from members of their own party. Research does show, however, that recent acts of political violence are more likely to be carried out by perpetrators aligned with right-wing causes and beliefs.

  • Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
    20·
    6 months ago

    The laws around threats and harassment really need to be tightened up. If someone publicly harasses someone else, and they are charged with a crime, one shouldn’t need to get a protective order. The protective order should be automatic. A second incident should result in automatic incarceration until the charges from the initial incident are resolved. And it shouldn’t matter whether or not the victim is a public figure. We all deserve to be free from harassment and threats of violence.

    There are too many people with unmanaged anger issues out there and too many of them are armed.