Experts sound alarm on potential right-wing violence fueled by election denialism

Recent violent incidents at a Democratic National Committee office in Arizona have been accompanied by rising online discussion of potential political violence following next week’s presidential election.

That’s according to a study published this week by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.

It found that people in right-wing forums are ramping up the spread of baseless claims that Democrats will “steal” the presidential election. 

They are also threatening to help Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump take power by force.

On the messaging platform Telegram, violent rhetoric related to denying the results of the 2020 election rose by 317% in October. 

The group found an identical trend this past month.

Users have threatened to “shoot to kill any illegal voters,” referring to the supposed scourge of illegal voting by noncitizens that Republicans, including Trump and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, have vowed to defeat.

The report was released as authorities investigate two incidents in Vancouver and Portland where ballot boxes were set on fire. 

However, the International Crisis Group notes that current conditions in the country may lower the chances of violent attacks related to election denial compared to 2020.

It notes that the prosecution of leaders of the Jan. 6 insurrection and investigations into groups involved have “dented these groups’ capacity.”

However, experts say the recent threats that have surfaced show that the risk of political violence after the election can’t be ignored.