Special Edition: Political Violence & Division- Can We Come Together?

In this special edition of The NewsWorthy, host Erica Mandi explores the escalating crisis of political violence and polarization in the United States, one week after a third alleged assassination attempt on President Trump. Drawing on recent data showing a 30-year high in anti-government violence, Mandi interviews Lily Mason, political scientist and author of *Uncivil Agreement* and *Radical American Partisanship*. Mason reveals that while over 80% of Americans reject political violence as acceptable, the number of people who believe it could be justified has risen to 20% in recent years—driven largely by inflammatory rhetoric from political leaders, especially Donald Trump. She highlights how identity-based partisanship, fueled by decades of 'social sorting,' has turned politics into a zero-sum emotional battleground, where party loyalty now mirrors religious conviction. Despite the intense national discourse, local politics remain less polarized, with tangible outcomes like fixing potholes making accountability clearer. Mason emphasizes that most Americans overestimate the extremism of the other side and that correcting these misperceptions can reduce hostility. She urges individuals to model civility, engage in personal conversations across divides, and resist the media and political incentives that reward conflict. The episode concludes on a cautiously hopeful note: while American history has seen violent periods before, the country has always found ways to reclaim norms of dignity and democratic participation. Key takeaways include: (1) Most Americans reject political violence, but threats are rising due to leader rhetoric and online toxicity; (2) Identity politics has replaced policy-based voting, making compromise harder; (3) Local politics are less polarized because outcomes are visible and practical; (4) Misinformation about the 'other side' fuels division—correcting it reduces hostility; (5) Individuals can help bridge divides by modeling civility in personal relationships; (6) Media and political leaders profit from conflict, creating a systemic incentive problem; (7) The midterms may see a shift if voters grow disillusioned with their own party; (8) Historical precedent shows democracy can recover from breakdowns when citizens choose restraint and dialogue.