Former FBI agent Jonathan Gilliam warns that political violence in the U.S. may be only beginning as 2026 starts. He cites high‑profile attacks in 2024–2025 — including the Sept. 10, 2025 killing of Charlie Kirk and an ICE facility shooting — as evidence of a troubling trend. DHS reported a more than 1,150% rise in assaults on ICE officers in 2025, and investigators say some weapons bore politically charged messages. Experts worry growing tolerance for ideological violence could fuel more targeted, deadly attacks.
Former FBI Agent Warns: "Political Violence Has Just Started" — 2026 Outlook After High‑Profile Attacks
Thomas Matthew Crooks was a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a 2024 campaign rally before being shot and killed by Secret Service agents.
A former FBI agent warns that ideologically driven violence in the United States may be only at its beginning as 2026 gets under way. High‑profile attacks in 2024–2025 — including the Sept. 10, 2025 killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk — have intensified debate about whether extreme rhetoric is translating into real‑world violence.
Recent Incidents and Evidence
Investigators said one bullet allegedly linked to suspect Tyler Robinson was engraved with the phrase "Hey fascist, catch," a detail that has fueled concern about politically charged messages being used to justify or celebrate violence. The Department of Homeland Security reported in November 2025 that assaults and violent attacks against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers rose by more than 1,150% compared with the same period the prior year.
Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan Supreme Court for a suppression hearing on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.
In late September 2025, a gunman opened fire at an ICE facility; one detainee was killed and two others were wounded. Authorities later identified the suspect as Joshua Jahn and said he had used mobile apps to track the presence of ICE personnel. Officials also reported that Jahn left a handwritten note stating, in part, "Hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror, to think, 'is there a sniper with AP rounds on that roof?'"
Other Targeted Attempts
The pattern of targeted, ideologically motivated attacks has appeared elsewhere. Authorities say there were two assassination attempts tied to then‑candidate Donald Trump in 2024: on July 13, 2024, a shooter allegedly fired at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, striking the candidate in the ear; and on Sept. 15, 2024, a man was arrested after being observed armed in a sniper hide near the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Joshua Jahn, 29, is the man who opened fire on an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas, authorities said.
Expert Warnings
Former FBI agent Jonathan Gilliam told Fox News Digital that Kirk's killing fits a broader pattern and warned political violence appears to be normalizing. He pointed to other incidents, including the killing of an insurance CEO, as examples of episodes that have been celebrated or excused by portions of the public.
"I think there are signs that this type of violence is being normalized," Gilliam said. "When people commit violent acts and others begin to ask, 'Is that justified?' the result can be a dangerous widening of tolerance for more extreme actions."
Implications
Gilliam and other observers warn that increasing public acceptance of politically motivated violence — combined with targeted tactics and the amplification of extremist rhetoric online — could lead to more frequent and more lethal attacks. The concerns raise questions for law enforcement, political leaders and communities about how to reduce threats while protecting civil liberties and open political discourse.
Note: This article summarizes officials' statements and public reporting. Investigations into many of these incidents remain ongoing, and authorities have not publicly confirmed motives in all cases.
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