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Poll Results: Is Political Violence Ever Justified?
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Key Takeaways
- 72% of Americans say political violence is never justified, regardless of political goals.
- Only 11% believe violence can sometimes be justified in a political context.
- 87% view political violence as at least a somewhat serious problem in the U.S. today.
In a politically charged environment, events like the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk or the 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump have intensified national debate around the use of violence in politics. But despite heated rhetoric from both the left and the right, a strong majority of Americans remain firmly opposed to political violence.
A recent YouGov poll, visualized by Statista, surveyed over 2,600 U.S. adults to understand public attitudes toward political violence in the U.S.
Here’s a breakdown of the data from the September 2025 survey:
| Question | Response | Share of Respondents |
|---|---|---|
| Do you think it is ever justified for citizens to resort to violence in order to achieve political goals? | Yes, violent crime can sometimes be justified | 11% |
| Do you think it is ever justified for citizens to resort to violence in order to achieve political goals? | No, violence is never justified | 72% |
| Do you think it is ever justified for citizens to resort to violence in order to achieve political goals? | Not sure | 11% |
| Do you think it is ever justified for citizens to resort to violence in order to achieve political goals? | Prefer not to say | 5% |
| Question | Response | Share of Respondents |
|---|---|---|
| How big of a problem do you think political violence is in the U.S. today? | A very big problem | 60% |
| How big of a problem do you think political violence is in the U.S. today? | Somewhat of a problem | 27% |
| How big of a problem do you think political violence is in the U.S. today? | Not very much of a problem | 5% |
| How big of a problem do you think political violence is in the U.S. today? | Not a problem | 1% |
| How big of a problem do you think political violence is in the U.S. today? | Not sure | 7% |
According to the results, 72% of Americans believe that violence is never justified to achieve political goals. Only 11% said it can be justified in some circumstances, while the rest were unsure or declined to respond.
This widespread disapproval spans the political spectrum, even as high-profile incidents like the Trump rally shooting or the recent killing of Charlie Kirk fuel partisan outrage.
Political Violence Seen as a Serious Issue
The poll also asked respondents how serious they believe the issue of political violence is in the country today. A full 60% called it a “very big problem,” and another 27% viewed it as “somewhat of a problem.” Just 6% said it was not really a problem at all.
In other words, nearly nine in 10 Americans agree that political violence is at least somewhat of a threat to democracy—suggesting rare bipartisan agreement in an otherwise divided nation.
A Divided Nation, but a Shared Concern
In light of the most recent attack and ongoing political tensions, the poll results offer a rare unifying insight: Americans overwhelmingly reject violence as a means of political expression.
Even amid record polarization, the public appears to draw a clear moral line when it comes to bloodshed.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
For additional context on how Americans view their political system more broadly, check out this related Voronoi post: Americans Have Nothing Good to Say About U.S. Politics.