Repeated violence puts spotlight on divisive political speech

Scholars who study rhetoric and extremism say the country’s political language has grown more aggressive and can trigger violent acts.

For years, President Donald Trump has relied on insults, menace and combative political language as central features of his public persona — portraying opponents as enemies, critics as threats and political fights as existential battles for the country’s survival.

After multiple assassination attempts against Trump and amid a broader rise in threats against public officials, scholars of political violence are debating whether incendiary rhetoric from political leaders makes real-world violence more likely.

The debate gained new urgency after a man armed with a handgun was shot and killed by Secret Service officers Saturday night near a White House security checkpoint. A bystander was also injured in the volley of bullets but is expected to survive.