According to a report by the University of Chicago Project of Security & Threats, nearly 12% of Americans, or approximately 30 million people, believe that using violent force would be justified to prevent President Donald Trump from returning to the White House.
The study, conducted in the left-leaning city of Chicago, also revealed that 7% of respondents believe violence is justified to prevent the prosecution of President Trump, while more than 17% believe it could be used to ensure members of Congress act in the desired manner.
Additionally, 12% of respondents stated that violence would be acceptable to restore the federal right to abortion. These findings highlight the growing anger and radicalization on the left, according to Robert Pape, a professor at the University of Chicago who led the research.
The report cited recent indictments by the Department of Justice, supervised by President Joe Biden, against Trump for his alleged First Amendment-protected statements and possession of classified documents from his presidency.
However, it is worth noting that Biden himself had classified documents from his time as vice president in his offices and homes, including a garage with minimal security, yet he has not faced any charges.
The indictment of Trump has further radicalized his supporters, but Pape emphasizes that it is not the sole source of radicalization.
The study also revealed that approximately 18 million Americans believe the use of force would be justified to restore Trump to the White House, with two-thirds of them believing that the 2020 election was stolen.
Similarly, a significant number of respondents, almost equal to the previous figure, believe that the Biden administration's attacks on Trump are intended to harm his potential campaign in 2024.
Constitutional expert and George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley has argued that the latest indictment of Trump by the Biden administration contradicts the principles of the First Amendment.
Turley highlights a new report from the University of Chicago, which shows that nearly 12% of the population, or approximately 30 million people, believe that violence is warranted to prevent Trump from assuming the presidency. This number is almost double the amount of people who believe that violence is justified to ensure Trump becomes president.
Despite President Biden's initial promise to bring people together, Turley warns that rage and division have only increased in the country.
He points to incidents like the recent confrontation on the floor of the Tennessee House, where protesters filled the capitol building to protest the failure to pass gun-control legislation.
Three Democratic state representatives disrupted the proceedings by shouting through a bullhorn and refusing to yield to the majority. Turley also mentions similar incidents in academia, where events are regularly canceled due to individuals shouting down others.
He argues that unleashing such rage is difficult to control and often leads to those who incite it becoming its victims.
The findings suggest a growing anger and radicalization on the left, which could have significant implications for political discourse and stability in the country. It is crucial for leaders to address these divisions and find ways to bridge the gap between opposing viewpoints to prevent further escalation of violence and polarization.
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