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Threats to Public Figures

Politicians and public figures operate within an increasingly complex threat environment shaped by deepening polarisation and its amplification through social media platforms. This environment encompasses a spectrum of risks, ranging from online harassment and violent rhetoric to credible threats that translate into real-world physical harm.

February 3, 2026

‘Tick tock traitor:’ The rise of violent rhetoric targeting US public officials

We assess how violent threats against US officials have tripled since 2021, spiking after major events and driven mainly by partisan individuals.

Officials and Law Enforcement, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Tech Accountability and Safety, Threats to Public Figures

April 15, 2025

Arson attack on PA Governor’s residence highlights ongoing rise in US political violence

Democratic Integrity, Threat Analysis and Prevention, Threats to Public Figures

March 26, 2025

Votes and Vitriol: Online Abuse Targeting Women Candidates in the 2024 French Legislative Elections

Democratic Integrity, Misogyny, Threats to Public Figures

December 19, 2024

Veneration of Luigi Mangione shows widespread support for vigilante violence

Hybrid Extremism and Nihilistic Violence, Threat Analysis and Prevention, Threats to Public Figures

November 1, 2024

The prospect of post-election conspiracy-motivated violence

Democratic Integrity, Threat Analysis and Prevention, Threats to Public Figures

August 6, 2024

Online Gendered Abuse and Disinformation During the 2024 South African Elections

Democratic Integrity, Misogyny, Threats to Public Figures

July 15, 2024

False and unverified claims proliferate online following Trump assassination attempt

Democratic Integrity, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation, Terrorism and Extremism, Threats to Public Figures

May 22, 2024

Ten years later, reverberations from the Bundy standoff continue to shape the anti-government landscape 

Far-Right Extremism, Officials and Law Enforcement, Terrorism and Extremism, Threat Analysis and Prevention, Threats to Public Figures

November 30, 2023

Web of Hate: A Retrospective Study of Online Gendered Abuse in 2022 in the United States

Misogyny, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Threats to Public Figures

Further Reading

December 9, 2022

Hate in Plain Sight: Abuse Targeting Women Ahead of the 2022 Midterm Elections on TikTok and Instagram

This report investigates abuse targeting female political figures on TikTok and Instagram ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

Democratic Integrity, Misogyny, Targeted Threats, Hate and Abuse, Tech Accountability and Safety, Threats to Public Figures

December 7, 2022

Boogaloo Movement

The Boogaloo movement is an anti-government, anti-law enforcement extremist militia movement.

Anti-Migrant, Democratic Integrity, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Officials and Law Enforcement, Threats to Public Figures

October 5, 2020

Public Figures, Public Rage: Candidate abuse on social media

This report presents the findings of our research into the scale of online abuse targeting Congressional candidates in the 2020 US election.

Democratic Integrity, Threats to Public Figures

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