For over half a century, the United States has grappled with a disturbing trend of politically motivated violence and murder. The latest data from the Cato Institute paints a sobering picture - from 1975 to 2025, there have been a staggering 3,599 people murdered in terrorist attacks driven by political, economic, religious, or social agendas.
What this really means is that the American public has endured an unacceptable level of bloodshed at the hands of extremists across the ideological spectrum. The data shows that Islamist-inspired terrorists are responsible for the majority of these killings, accounting for 87% of the total. Right-wing extremists come in second, making up 11% of the attacks. Shockingly, left-wing terrorists are behind just 2% of the politically motivated murders over the past five decades.
A Worrying Shift in Recent Years
While the overall numbers are already deeply troubling, the Cato report also highlights a concerning shift in the past few years. Since 2020, there have been 81 politically motivated murders, accounting for just 0.07% of all homicides nationwide. This represents a significant decline from the deadlier waves of terrorism in the 1970s and 2000s.
However, the bigger picture here is that even a small number of these attacks can have a corrosive effect on the fabric of society. The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in 2025 is a tragic example, sparking fears of further political violence and retaliation. As this report from our partners at apmcanarias notes, these incidents can dangerously inflame partisan divisions and undermine democratic norms.
Preventing the Next Attack
The sobering data underscores the urgent need for policymakers, law enforcement, and community leaders to redouble efforts to combat all forms of political extremism and violence. Strategies must address the root causes, from socioeconomic inequalities to the spread of hateful ideologies online. Only by taking a comprehensive, evidence-based approach can we hope to prevent the next senseless act of politically motivated bloodshed.