Law enforcement fear potential political violence amid Trump’s trials

U.S. officials are wary of violent reactions similar to the January 6, 2021 events or isolated attacks by individuals in case of Trump conviction 

WASHINGTON – Law enforcement agencies are expressing concerns about the potential for political violence, given the possibility of former President Donald Trump facing conviction in one of his four criminal trials.

With Trump likely being the Republican nominee for the 2024 elections, officials are wary of violent reactions similar to the January 6, 2021 events or isolated attacks by individuals.

The New York Times highlighted that investigators and judges associated with Trump’s indictments now have 24-hour protection.

This is due to apprehensions that threats could escalate, especially if Trump is defeated in 2024.

Robert Pape from the University of Chicago stated that Trump’s legal challenges are significant catalysts for present-day political violence.

The report also noted that in the past year, the FBI has had two fatal confrontations with individuals making threats.

One such incident occurred in Utah where an armed individual threatened to assassinate President Biden ahead of his visit.

Experts attribute the volatile environment primarily to Trump’s influence, compounded by some Republican leaders not intervening against violent narratives on various platforms.

Furthermore, following the FBI’s visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property to retrieve stolen government papers, threats against FBI personnel surged.

The Times mentioned that threats have increased over 300%, with personal details of FBI employees being disseminated online, prompting the establishment of a specialized unit to address the rising threats.