A recent poll conducted by YouGov reveals that a significant majority of Americans, 67% to be precise, fear that the sniper attack on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, could mark the beginning of a politically turbulent era reminiscent of the events that unfolded in 1968. The survey, which included 4,339 participants, indicates that two-thirds of respondents believe that political violence is now more likely, with only 8% expressing the belief that such attacks are less likely to occur. Another 10% expect no change, while 14% remain uncertain.
What is particularly noteworthy is that both Republicans and Democrats share concerns about the potential for further violence. Among GOP registrants, 70% anticipate that Trump’s attack was just the beginning, while 69% of Democrats share the same sentiment. The year 1968 serves as a haunting reminder of the political turmoil that gripped the nation, with the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy Sr., as well as the attempted assassination of George Wallace, a Democratic presidential candidate at the time.
Although Trump survived the attack and is expected to make a full recovery, the incident claimed the life of another rally attendee, tragically highlighting the severity of the situation. The assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, remains a mysterious figure, with limited information available about him, aside from his Republican registration and a small donation to a Democratic political fund in January 2021.
The YouGov poll also reveals that 82% of respondents believe that political violence has already become a persistent issue in the country. Of those, 50% consider it a “very big” problem, while 32% view it as “somewhat” of an issue. Once again, partisanship plays a role, with 87% of Republicans and 84% of Democrats expressing concern, compared to 76% of independents. Only 10% of respondents downplay the issue, while 8% remain unsure.
The US Secret Service now faces heightened scrutiny, with Senators Rick Scott and Josh Hawley calling for hearings by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Scott demands accountability from the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security, while Hawley insists on a comprehensive public investigation into the assassination attempt and the perceived failure to protect the former president.
When asked about their confidence in the Secret Service’s ability to protect presidential candidates from harm, only 20% of respondents expressed being “very confident.” An additional 45% stated they were “somewhat confident.” Democrats, Republicans, and independents displayed varying levels of confidence, with 70%, 65%, and 61% respectively having at least some trust in the agency. However, 29% of Republicans admitted to being either “not very confident” or “not at all confident.” This number is likely to increase if investigations by the legislative branch uncover the security lapses that allowed an underage individual to climb onto a roof and open fire on a crowd, resulting in the injury of a national political leader, two supporters, and the loss of an innocent life.
1 Response
This is absolutely sickening! The fact that there are people out there who would even consider a sniper attack on anyone, let alone a former president, is beyond comprehension. It’s disturbing to think that we live in a society where such violence is even a possibility. This poll result is a stark reminder of the deep divisions and hatred that exist within our country. We should be striving for unity and peaceful discourse, not fearing politically turbulent eras reminiscent of the past. It’s disheartening to see