Sam Jones
@samajones.bsky.social
Comms at Princeton’s Bridging Divides Initiative. Working to track and mitigate the risk of political violence in the U.S. bridgingdivides.princeton.edu
"There have been multiple times that I've thought: [our town] is going to get put on the map when somebody comes to kill me."
In the wake of a series of high-profile political violence incidents, new BDI interview research explores how local officials are navigating the elevated risk environment.
In the wake of a series of high-profile political violence incidents, new BDI interview research explores how local officials are navigating the elevated risk environment.
Issue Brief: Interviews With Local Elected Officials Spotlight Acute Safety Concerns in the Wake of High-Profile Attacks
Following the deadly attack on state lawmakers in Minnesota, local officials tell BDI that they are experiencing a high level of fear and emotional strain. They continue to call for short-term mitigat...
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu
October 15, 2025 at 7:18 PM
"There have been multiple times that I've thought: [our town] is going to get put on the map when somebody comes to kill me."
In the wake of a series of high-profile political violence incidents, new BDI interview research explores how local officials are navigating the elevated risk environment.
In the wake of a series of high-profile political violence incidents, new BDI interview research explores how local officials are navigating the elevated risk environment.
Reposted by Sam Jones
What happens when political violence shifts from isolated tragedies to a persistent feature of American civic life?
September 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
What happens when political violence shifts from isolated tragedies to a persistent feature of American civic life?
Reposted by Sam Jones
After the deadly attack on Minnesota state lawmakers in June, I broke down BDI's research on steps communities can take to respond to the risk of political violence for @justsecurity.org. Many of those same lessons apply now. We don't have to accept this climate of hostility as our new normal.
How Communities Can Respond to Threats of Political Violence
Left unchecked, political violence will continue to pose a significant danger to community safety and the health of America’s democracy.
www.justsecurity.org
September 13, 2025 at 2:15 PM
After the deadly attack on Minnesota state lawmakers in June, I broke down BDI's research on steps communities can take to respond to the risk of political violence for @justsecurity.org. Many of those same lessons apply now. We don't have to accept this climate of hostility as our new normal.
Reposted by Sam Jones
Can America escape its spiral of political violence? 10 experts in the US and abroad give their takes on what comes next👇
10 Political Violence Experts on What Comes Next for America
Can America escape the spiral of political violence after Charlie Kirk’s killing?
www.politico.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Can America escape its spiral of political violence? 10 experts in the US and abroad give their takes on what comes next👇
Reposted by Sam Jones
Michael speaks with Shannon Hiller, Executive Director of the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton, about the alarming rise in threats and harassment against local officials—from school board members to township supervisors.
Hear the #podcast 🎧➡️ https://loom.ly/7l3hQnE
Hear the #podcast 🎧➡️ https://loom.ly/7l3hQnE
August 28, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Michael speaks with Shannon Hiller, Executive Director of the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton, about the alarming rise in threats and harassment against local officials—from school board members to township supervisors.
Hear the #podcast 🎧➡️ https://loom.ly/7l3hQnE
Hear the #podcast 🎧➡️ https://loom.ly/7l3hQnE
Reposted by Sam Jones
NJ to regulate campaign spending on security as political violence mounts newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/nj-to...
NJ to regulate campaign spending on security as political violence mounts • New Jersey Monitor
Political threats & violence are up, so NJ's election watchdog aims to adopt new rules allowing candidates to spend campaign cash on security
newjerseymonitor.com
August 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
NJ to regulate campaign spending on security as political violence mounts newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/nj-to...
Reposted by Sam Jones
My colleagues @brookings.edu wrote on the rise of political violence in the US
They explain important ways we can prevent rising violence 2 protect the health of our democracy
Read more👇-TN www.brookings.edu/articles/pol...
They explain important ways we can prevent rising violence 2 protect the health of our democracy
Read more👇-TN www.brookings.edu/articles/pol...
Addressing political violence to protect American democracy | Brookings
Recent acts of political violence in the U.S. are a threat to democracy, but strategies exist to prevent them while protecting freedoms.
www.brookings.edu
August 26, 2025 at 5:44 PM
My colleagues @brookings.edu wrote on the rise of political violence in the US
They explain important ways we can prevent rising violence 2 protect the health of our democracy
Read more👇-TN www.brookings.edu/articles/pol...
They explain important ways we can prevent rising violence 2 protect the health of our democracy
Read more👇-TN www.brookings.edu/articles/pol...
Reposted by Sam Jones
Political violence is a threat to the safety & security of Americans & democracy. My @brookings.edu piece addresses the rise of political violence, harassment & intimidation. We recommend tools/strategies to combat, prevent, respond to this growing threat. www.brookings.edu/articles/pol...
Addressing political violence to protect American democracy | Brookings
Recent acts of political violence in the U.S. are a threat to democracy, but strategies exist to prevent them while protecting freedoms.
www.brookings.edu
August 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Political violence is a threat to the safety & security of Americans & democracy. My @brookings.edu piece addresses the rise of political violence, harassment & intimidation. We recommend tools/strategies to combat, prevent, respond to this growing threat. www.brookings.edu/articles/pol...
Reposted by Sam Jones
Who’s running for office? Amid a rise in threats of political violence and harassment, parents with young kids are increasingly weighing the risks. 19thnews.org/2025/08/pare...
The threat of political violence is keeping parents out of elected office
Persistent harassment and threats of violence may be impacting who decides to become an elected official or candidate — especially for parents of young children.
19thnews.org
August 6, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Who’s running for office? Amid a rise in threats of political violence and harassment, parents with young kids are increasingly weighing the risks. 19thnews.org/2025/08/pare...
Reposted by Sam Jones
Persistent harassment and threats of violence may be impacting who decides to become an elected official or candidate — especially for parents of young children.
The threat of political violence is keeping parents out of elected office
Persistent harassment and threats of violence may be impacting who decides to become an elected official or candidate — especially for parents of young children.
19thnews.org
August 4, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Persistent harassment and threats of violence may be impacting who decides to become an elected official or candidate — especially for parents of young children.
"Since COVID, threats to local school officials have nearly tripled, research finds. Cases corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies."
BDI's new report featured in @npr.org
BDI's new report featured in @npr.org
Since COVID, threats to local school officials have nearly tripled, research finds
Researchers at Princeton University say some instances corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies and that the targets held a variety of political views.
www.npr.org
July 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
"Since COVID, threats to local school officials have nearly tripled, research finds. Cases corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies."
BDI's new report featured in @npr.org
BDI's new report featured in @npr.org
New research from our team at BDI finds that more than 1 in 3 local school board officials experienced hostility last year. Reported cases of threats and harassment targeting school officials increased 170% from 2022 to 2025.
But impacted officials are also developing strategies to mitigate risk.
But impacted officials are also developing strategies to mitigate risk.
July 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
New research from our team at BDI finds that more than 1 in 3 local school board officials experienced hostility last year. Reported cases of threats and harassment targeting school officials increased 170% from 2022 to 2025.
But impacted officials are also developing strategies to mitigate risk.
But impacted officials are also developing strategies to mitigate risk.
Reposted by Sam Jones
Researchers at Princeton University say some instances corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies and that the targets held a variety of political views.
Since COVID, threats to local school officials have nearly tripled, research finds
Researchers at Princeton University say some instances corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies and that the targets held a variety of political views.
n.pr
July 11, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Researchers at Princeton University say some instances corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies and that the targets held a variety of political views.
Reposted by Sam Jones
Extremists Links: Elected officials have increasingly become the target violence, and harassment has become a 'predictable part of public service — so common it often goes unreported.'
Extremists Links: Elected Officials Increasingly Target of Violence and Harassment
Elected officials have increasingly become the target violence, and harassment has become a 'predictable part of public service — so common it often goes unreported.'
www.radicalreports.org
July 2, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Extremists Links: Elected officials have increasingly become the target violence, and harassment has become a 'predictable part of public service — so common it often goes unreported.'
Our newly expanded BDI-CivicPulse survey finds that local elected officials are looking for additional resources to mitigate the escalating risk of threats and violence, including enhanced privacy protections, personal security, and tools to manage conflict during public meetings.
Local Officials Seek Increased Safety Support Amid Heightened Threat Environment, Survey Results Show
Findings from our newly expanded survey indicate that local elected officials are looking for additional resources to mitigate the risk of threats and harassment, including enhanced privacy protection...
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu
July 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Our newly expanded BDI-CivicPulse survey finds that local elected officials are looking for additional resources to mitigate the escalating risk of threats and violence, including enhanced privacy protections, personal security, and tools to manage conflict during public meetings.
Reposted by Sam Jones
(1/3) Catch up on our recent analysis:
• Israel / Iran
• Political violence
• U.S. military deployment
• Trump executive actions
• Public health
• European security
• Corruption
• United Nations / Counterterrorism
• Series: Gender & protests in Iran
www.justsecurity.org/114795/diges...
• Israel / Iran
• Political violence
• U.S. military deployment
• Trump executive actions
• Public health
• European security
• Corruption
• United Nations / Counterterrorism
• Series: Gender & protests in Iran
www.justsecurity.org/114795/diges...
Digest of Recent Articles on Just Security (June 15-20, 2025)
Israel / Iran • Political violence • U.S. military deployment • Trump executive actions • Public health • European security • Corruption • United Nations / Counterterrorism • Series: Gender & protests...
www.justsecurity.org
June 21, 2025 at 11:06 AM
(1/3) Catch up on our recent analysis:
• Israel / Iran
• Political violence
• U.S. military deployment
• Trump executive actions
• Public health
• European security
• Corruption
• United Nations / Counterterrorism
• Series: Gender & protests in Iran
www.justsecurity.org/114795/diges...
• Israel / Iran
• Political violence
• U.S. military deployment
• Trump executive actions
• Public health
• European security
• Corruption
• United Nations / Counterterrorism
• Series: Gender & protests in Iran
www.justsecurity.org/114795/diges...
Last weekend’s attack on two Minnesota lawmakers marks a deadly escalation of political violence in the U.S. and comes during a period of elevated threats against officials around the country.
For @justsecurity.org, I broke down BDI’s latest research into steps communities can take to respond.
For @justsecurity.org, I broke down BDI’s latest research into steps communities can take to respond.
How Communities Can Respond to Threats of Political Violence
Left unchecked, political violence will continue to pose a significant danger to community safety and the health of America’s democracy.
www.justsecurity.org
June 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Last weekend’s attack on two Minnesota lawmakers marks a deadly escalation of political violence in the U.S. and comes during a period of elevated threats against officials around the country.
For @justsecurity.org, I broke down BDI’s latest research into steps communities can take to respond.
For @justsecurity.org, I broke down BDI’s latest research into steps communities can take to respond.
Reposted by Sam Jones
In the aftermath of the Minnesota attacks, how can communities respond to the growing threat of political violence? @samajones.bsky.social and Roudabeh Kishi offer a range of ideas, from expanding access to security funding to collaborative threat monitoring
www.justsecurity.org/114944/minne...
www.justsecurity.org/114944/minne...
How Communities Can Respond to Threats of Political Violence
Left unchecked, political violence will continue to pose a significant danger to community safety and the health of America’s democracy.
www.justsecurity.org
June 18, 2025 at 5:07 PM
In the aftermath of the Minnesota attacks, how can communities respond to the growing threat of political violence? @samajones.bsky.social and Roudabeh Kishi offer a range of ideas, from expanding access to security funding to collaborative threat monitoring
www.justsecurity.org/114944/minne...
www.justsecurity.org/114944/minne...
Reposted by Sam Jones
The targeted shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers this weekend underscore a grim trend: An increasingly volatile political climate has left state and local officials more exposed than ever to threats and harassment.
Minnesota shootings spotlight growing safety risks facing lawmakers
Some fear mounting threats could push people away from public service.
www.axios.com
June 15, 2025 at 10:35 PM
The targeted shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers this weekend underscore a grim trend: An increasingly volatile political climate has left state and local officials more exposed than ever to threats and harassment.
"Violent threats against lawmakers hit a record high last year, for the second year in a row. As of April, there have been more than 170 incidents of threats and harassment targeting local officials across nearly 40 states this year, according to data gathered by BDI at Princeton University."
Like School Shootings, Political Violence Is Becoming Almost Routine
www.nytimes.com
June 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"Violent threats against lawmakers hit a record high last year, for the second year in a row. As of April, there have been more than 170 incidents of threats and harassment targeting local officials across nearly 40 states this year, according to data gathered by BDI at Princeton University."
Reposted by Sam Jones
Political officials are facing more and more threats and harassment.
(some ups and downs, but the secular trend is up)
This is... not good.
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/threats-and-...
(some ups and downs, but the secular trend is up)
This is... not good.
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/threats-and-...
Threats and Harassment Dataset: April 2025 Update
Threat and harassment incidents against local officials continued at a lower rate in April, following a spike at the start of the year driven by national political dynamics. The THD captured more than...
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu
June 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Political officials are facing more and more threats and harassment.
(some ups and downs, but the secular trend is up)
This is... not good.
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/threats-and-...
(some ups and downs, but the secular trend is up)
This is... not good.
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/threats-and-...
Yesterday's attack targeting two Minnesota state lawmakers marks a deadly escalation of political violence in the U.S. and comes during a period of elevated threats against public officials at all levels of government.
June 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Yesterday's attack targeting two Minnesota state lawmakers marks a deadly escalation of political violence in the U.S. and comes during a period of elevated threats against public officials at all levels of government.
Reposted by Sam Jones
"Hostility against public officials is on the rise.... The impact is clear: many officials are withdrawing from civic engagement, avoiding work on controversial issues, and reconsidering public service altogether due to safety concerns."
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/updates/2025...
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/updates/2025...
Protecting Local Democracy: Policy Solutions to Address Rising Threats Against Officeholders
This brief presents two critical recommendations to mitigate risk facing local officials: expanding access to funds for personal security in the short term; and investing in independent, sustained thr...
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu
May 15, 2025 at 1:26 PM
"Hostility against public officials is on the rise.... The impact is clear: many officials are withdrawing from civic engagement, avoiding work on controversial issues, and reconsidering public service altogether due to safety concerns."
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/updates/2025...
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/updates/2025...
Despite threats from the administration, protests in support of immigrant rights are reaching record numbers. "More than 700 immigration-related demonstrations have taken place in the United States in 2025, according to data and analysis from ACLED and BDI."
With Trump’s crackdown against dissent escalating, some seeking to protest his immigration policies face a difficult choice | CNN Politics
The Trump administration’s escalating efforts to suppress and retaliate against public dissent present a difficult question for noncitizens living in the United States who want to protest the presiden...
www.cnn.com
April 3, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Despite threats from the administration, protests in support of immigrant rights are reaching record numbers. "More than 700 immigration-related demonstrations have taken place in the United States in 2025, according to data and analysis from ACLED and BDI."