A vast majority of Americans say they are increasingly concerned about the risk of politically motivated violence, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
The poll, which surveyed 1,005 adults, found that 88% said they were more concerned, while only 11% said they were less concerned (1% said they had no opinion).
The poll was taken during the period of Oct. 31-Nov. 2 — a few days after Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was attacked and injured on Oct. 28 in the couple’s San Francisco home. Paul Pelosi was released from the hospital on Thursday.
David DePape, 42, is the man charged with the attack. According to the Washington Post, his online writings contain “deeply racist and antisemitic writings — as well as pro-Trump and anti-Democratic posts.”
The Washington Post-ABC News poll also noted that 31% of respondents said the Republican party was to blame for the risk of politically motivated violence, while 25% said the Democratic party was at fault. But 32% said both parties were equally to blame, while 11% said that neither of the parties were.
Additionally, the poll looked at how Americans view former President Donald Trump’s role in encouraging or discouraging politically motivated violence. The majority of respondents — 49% — said he is encouraging the situation, while 19% said he is discouraging it and 29% said he is neither encouraging or discouraging the violence.