Right-Wing vs Left-Wing Violence

Political violence—defined as the use of force to achieve political objectives—has been a persistent concern in democracies worldwide. In the United States and other Western nations, both right-wing and left-wing groups have engaged in violent acts. However, the frequency, severity, and nature of such violence differ significantly between these ideological camps, as demonstrated by various studies and official statistics. This analysis does not go into detail about attacks fueled by religion, Jihadist, Islamist, or any other types of violence, but the statistics are included in some of the graphs for a better understanding.

Defining Political Violence

Right-wing political violence typically involves groups or individuals motivated by nationalism, racism, anti-government sentiment, or opposition to perceived threats against traditional values. Left-wing political violence, in contrast, is often driven by anti-capitalist, environmental, or anti-fascist ideologies and may target symbols of authority, corporations, or right-wing entities.

Statistical Overview: United States

According to data compiled by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), between 2015 and 2021, right-wing extremists were responsible for the majority of ideologically motivated violent incidents in the U.S. The CSIS database shows that:

• Right-wing extremists accounted for approximately 67% of terrorist plots and attacks in 2020.

• Left-wing extremists were responsible for about 20% of incidents, while religious extremists comprised the remainder.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reports similar findings. In 2021, 26 out of 29 extremist-related murders in the U.S. were linked to right-wing extremists, especially white supremacists and anti-government groups.

Patterns of Right-Wing Violence

Research from the Global Terrorism Database and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) highlights several trends:

• Right-wing violence often targets minorities, immigrants, government institutions, and perceived liberal entities.

• Notable incidents include the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting, the 2017 Charlottesville vehicle attack, and the 2021 Capitol riot.

• Right-wing attacks tend to result in higher fatalities compared to left-wing violence.

Patterns of Left-Wing Violence

Left-wing violence in recent years has primarily been associated with anarchist and anti-fascist (Antifa) groups. Examples include property destruction during protests and clashes with police or right-wing demonstrators. The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) notes:

• Left-wing violence rarely results in fatalities, with most incidents involving vandalism or confrontations rather than mass casualty events.

• Significant spikes occurred during the protests surrounding racial justice in 2020, but most incidents were not deadly.

International Comparisons

Similar trends are observed in Western Europe, where right-wing violence has surged in recent years, particularly targeting immigrants and ethnic minorities. Europol's annual Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (TE-SAT) indicates that:

• Right-wing attacks are increasing, though left-wing violence remains active in some countries, such as Greece and Italy.

• Left-wing groups in Europe often focus on anti-capitalist or anti-globalization actions, with violence largely directed at property rather than individuals.

In 2025, we have seen several acts of what seem to be politically motivated violence. After the death of public figure Charlie Kirk, President Trump has increased his attacks on the left, specifically criminalizing opinions that are “anti-capitalist,” “anti-Christianity,” “extremism with regard to migration, race, and gender,” or that express “hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality.” Trump has named this presidential memorandum “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence,” which is the strictest crackdown on dissent since J. Edgar Hoover’s egregious COINTELPRO. The fallout from this could be disastrous, as the Trump administration is essentially policing “thought crimes” for anyone who disagrees with their political goals. That, in itself, is a clear violation of the First Amendment.

While 2025 is the first year in decades that left-wing attacks have outnumbered right-wing violence, the number is still considered very low compared to past right-wing attacks.

Current research and official statistics consistently show that right-wing extremist groups are responsible for a larger share of political violence in the United States, particularly in terms of fatal attacks. Left-wing violence, while present, tends to be less deadly and more focused on property damage or clashes with law enforcement. Understanding these distinctions is essential for policymakers, law enforcement, and the public as they seek to address the root causes and prevent future acts of political violence.

References

• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), "The Escalating Terrorism Problem in the United States," 2020

• Anti-Defamation League (ADL), "Murder and Extremism in the United States," 2021

• Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), "The Year in Hate and Extremism," 2021

• National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), "Trends in Terrorism," 2020

• Europol, "Terrorism Situation and Trend Report (TE-SAT)," 2021