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
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.
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.
More than 700 immigration-related demonstrations have already taken place across the U.S. this year. Over 250 were reported in a single week — five times more than the previous weekly peak in 2020.
April 1, 2025 at 2:10 PM
More than 700 immigration-related demonstrations have already taken place across the U.S. this year. Over 250 were reported in a single week — five times more than the previous weekly peak in 2020.
While the risk of contentious incidents — such as clashes or police use of force — will increase if hate groups ramp up their involvement in anti-immigration demonstrations or if the admin follows through on plans to suppress protests, these cases have so far been limited.
March 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
While the risk of contentious incidents — such as clashes or police use of force — will increase if hate groups ramp up their involvement in anti-immigration demonstrations or if the admin follows through on plans to suppress protests, these cases have so far been limited.
As of March, immigration-related protests have made up 27% of total reported demonstrations for 2025, marking a sharp increase from just 3% for 2024. Of these, 97% have been held in support of immigrant rights.
March 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
As of March, immigration-related protests have made up 27% of total reported demonstrations for 2025, marking a sharp increase from just 3% for 2024. Of these, 97% have been held in support of immigrant rights.
Immigration-related demonstrations are hitting record levels this year, new BDI analysis finds. Communities in all 50 states have mobilized to support immigrant rights, advocate for local safety initiatives, and push back on dehumanizing rhetoric that raises the risk of violence.
March 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Immigration-related demonstrations are hitting record levels this year, new BDI analysis finds. Communities in all 50 states have mobilized to support immigrant rights, advocate for local safety initiatives, and push back on dehumanizing rhetoric that raises the risk of violence.
Our team at the Princeton University Bridging Divides Initiative documented more than 600 incidents of threats and harassment targeting local public officials around the United States in 2024 — an increase of 10% from 2023.
February 5, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Our team at the Princeton University Bridging Divides Initiative documented more than 600 incidents of threats and harassment targeting local public officials around the United States in 2024 — an increase of 10% from 2023.
4. The rise in threats and harassment against public officials will continue to undermine local civic engagement.
5. The interplay between local and national political dynamics is creating a cycle of conflict escalation, which will be exacerbated by the removal of social media guardrails.
5. The interplay between local and national political dynamics is creating a cycle of conflict escalation, which will be exacerbated by the removal of social media guardrails.
January 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
4. The rise in threats and harassment against public officials will continue to undermine local civic engagement.
5. The interplay between local and national political dynamics is creating a cycle of conflict escalation, which will be exacerbated by the removal of social media guardrails.
5. The interplay between local and national political dynamics is creating a cycle of conflict escalation, which will be exacerbated by the removal of social media guardrails.
3. Public trust in police may come under further strain amid an increase in protest intervention and use of deadly force.
January 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
3. Public trust in police may come under further strain amid an increase in protest intervention and use of deadly force.
📈 Political Violence: Trends to Watch
1. Vigilante activity is becoming a more common form of political violence around the U.S.
2. After years of decline, mobilization by organized groups prone to violence – like militias or neo-Nazis – is set to resurge around flashpoint issues like immigration.
1. Vigilante activity is becoming a more common form of political violence around the U.S.
2. After years of decline, mobilization by organized groups prone to violence – like militias or neo-Nazis – is set to resurge around flashpoint issues like immigration.
January 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
📈 Political Violence: Trends to Watch
1. Vigilante activity is becoming a more common form of political violence around the U.S.
2. After years of decline, mobilization by organized groups prone to violence – like militias or neo-Nazis – is set to resurge around flashpoint issues like immigration.
1. Vigilante activity is becoming a more common form of political violence around the U.S.
2. After years of decline, mobilization by organized groups prone to violence – like militias or neo-Nazis – is set to resurge around flashpoint issues like immigration.