Sam Jones
@samajones.bsky.social
Comms at Princeton’s Bridging Divides Initiative. Working to track and mitigate the risk of political violence in the U.S. bridgingdivides.princeton.edu
Morning Briefing: Local elected officials report that they are “facing sustained threats to their safety and security,” according to a survey published by the Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI).
Morning Briefing: Local Elected Officials 'Facing Sustained Threats to Their Safety and Security'
Local elected officials report that they are “facing sustained threats to their safety and security,” according to a survey published by the Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI).
radicalreports.org
(1/4) Catch up on our recent analysis: • U.S.-Israel-Iran War • U.S.-Cuba • U.S. Boat Strikes • U.S. Military • Transatlantic Relations • Mali
Digest of Recent Articles on Just Security (Apr. 25-May 1, 2026)
U.S.-Israel-Iran War • U.S.-Cuba • U.S. Boat Strikes • U.S. Military • Transatlantic Relations • Mali • U.S. Political Violence • DOJ Indictment • Anti-Corruption Series • FISA Section 702 • ICE and C...
justsecurity.org
With political violence on the rise, America needs a reliable monitoring system that can accurately track threats across the ideological spectrum. But @samajones.bsky.social warns the ecosystem developed to track such data is now in jeopardy. www.justsecurity.org/137299/risin...
To Counter Rising Political Violence, America Needs to Reinforce Its Early Warning Infrastructure
Stakeholders must reinforce U.S. monitoring and response infrastructure to address growing risks of political violence.
justsecurity.org
For years, our team at Princeton has worked w/ partners around the U.S. to improve research on political violence and stand up a data-driven early warning system. That system is now being cut back, compromising the country's capacity to respond to emerging threats. My latest for @justsecurity.org
To Counter Rising Political Violence, America Needs to Reinforce Its Early Warning Infrastructure
Stakeholders must reinforce U.S. monitoring and response infrastructure to address growing risks of political violence.
justsecurity.org
Although Congress has boosted the amount of money provided for members’ security, some Minnesota lawmakers are spending more for their personal safety.
Minnesota lawmakers tap campaign funds to bolster their security - MinnPost
Although Congress has boosted the amount of money for members' security, some Minnesota lawmakers are spending more for their safety.
minnpost.com
New report from our team at Princeton's Bridging Divides Initiative identifies 5 key political violence trends that emerged in 2025, evaluates how they'll evolve in 2026, and elevates 3 effective resilience and response strategies to support risk mitigation efforts. Findings 🧵👇
Key Political Violence and Resilience Trends From 2025
The past year saw a dangerous escalation in the political violence risk environment in the United States, including a series of high-profile attacks and the impacts of aggressive federal immigration o...
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu
State violence is escalating in Minnesota and around the U.S. It's critical to support the local leaders and civil society groups standing up to these threats and working to keep their communities safe. Here's just a snapshot of ongoing response efforts from BDI and WSC in @npquarterly.bsky.social.
From Minneapolis to Portland: State Violence and How Communities Are Responding | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.
The United States is seeing an upswing in political violence, including due to increased state abuses. But community safety and de-escalation strategies can be effective.
nonprofitquarterly.org
We have a ton of data on this from the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton. A survey from the fall found that that 43% of local officials said threats and harassment made them less willing to run for re-election: bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/Understandin...
We underestimate how impactful harassment and threats of violence are on politicians. Clear, large uptick in the number of major incumbent politicians not running/retiring specifically due to harassments and threats of violence. The harassers are like 0.1% of the population but hugely impactful.
Since January 6, 2021, at least 33 insurrectionists have been rearrested, charged or sentenced for other crimes, ranging from committing child sex crimes and possession of child pornography to sexual assault, rape and illegal possession of weapons with domestic violence convictions.
Five years after January 6, dozens of pardoned insurrectionists have been arrested again
At least 33 insurrectionists have been rearrested, charged or sentenced for other crimes since January 6, 2021.
19thnews.org
"There have been multiple times that I've thought: [our town] is going to get put on the map when somebody comes to kill me." In the wake of a series of high-profile political violence incidents, new BDI interview research explores how local officials are navigating the elevated risk environment.
Issue Brief: Interviews With Local Elected Officials Spotlight Acute Safety Concerns in the Wake of High-Profile Attacks
Following the deadly attack on state lawmakers in Minnesota, local officials tell BDI that they are experiencing a high level of fear and emotional strain. They continue to call for short-term mitigat...
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu
What happens when political violence shifts from isolated tragedies to a persistent feature of American civic life?
There’s a lot to learn from these 10 experts on political violence. www.politico.com/news/magazin...
10 Political Violence Experts on What Comes Next for America
Can America escape the spiral of political violence after Charlie Kirk’s killing?
politico.com
After the deadly attack on Minnesota state lawmakers in June, I broke down BDI's research on steps communities can take to respond to the risk of political violence for @justsecurity.org. Many of those same lessons apply now. We don't have to accept this climate of hostility as our new normal.
How Communities Can Respond to Threats of Political Violence
Left unchecked, political violence will continue to pose a significant danger to community safety and the health of America’s democracy.
justsecurity.org
Can America escape its spiral of political violence? 10 experts in the US and abroad give their takes on what comes next👇
10 Political Violence Experts on What Comes Next for America
Can America escape the spiral of political violence after Charlie Kirk’s killing?
politico.com
Michael speaks with Shannon Hiller, Executive Director of the Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton, about the alarming rise in threats and harassment against local officials—from school board members to township supervisors. Hear the #podcast 🎧➡️ https://loom.ly/7l3hQnE
NJ to regulate campaign spending on security as political violence mounts newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/nj-to...
NJ to regulate campaign spending on security as political violence mounts • New Jersey Monitor
Political threats & violence are up, so NJ's election watchdog aims to adopt new rules allowing candidates to spend campaign cash on security
newjerseymonitor.com
My colleagues @brookings.edu wrote on the rise of political violence in the US They explain important ways we can prevent rising violence 2 protect the health of our democracy Read more👇-TN www.brookings.edu/articles/pol...
Addressing political violence to protect American democracy | Brookings
Recent acts of political violence in the U.S. are a threat to democracy, but strategies exist to prevent them while protecting freedoms.
brookings.edu
Political violence is a threat to the safety & security of Americans & democracy. My @brookings.edu piece addresses the rise of political violence, harassment & intimidation. We recommend tools/strategies to combat, prevent, respond to this growing threat. www.brookings.edu/articles/pol...
Addressing political violence to protect American democracy | Brookings
Recent acts of political violence in the U.S. are a threat to democracy, but strategies exist to prevent them while protecting freedoms.
brookings.edu
Who’s running for office? Amid a rise in threats of political violence and harassment, parents with young kids are increasingly weighing the risks. 19thnews.org/2025/08/pare...
The threat of political violence is keeping parents out of elected office
Persistent harassment and threats of violence may be impacting who decides to become an elected official or candidate — especially for parents of young children.
19thnews.org
Persistent harassment and threats of violence may be impacting who decides to become an elected official or candidate — especially for parents of young children.
The threat of political violence is keeping parents out of elected office
Persistent harassment and threats of violence may be impacting who decides to become an elected official or candidate — especially for parents of young children.
19thnews.org
"Since COVID, threats to local school officials have nearly tripled, research finds. Cases corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies." BDI's new report featured in @npr.org
Since COVID, threats to local school officials have nearly tripled, research finds
Researchers at Princeton University say some instances corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies and that the targets held a variety of political views.
npr.org
New research from our team at BDI finds that more than 1 in 3 local school board officials experienced hostility last year. Reported cases of threats and harassment targeting school officials increased 170% from 2022 to 2025. But impacted officials are also developing strategies to mitigate risk.
Researchers at Princeton University say some instances corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies and that the targets held a variety of political views.
Since COVID, threats to local school officials have nearly tripled, research finds
Researchers at Princeton University say some instances corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies and that the targets held a variety of political views.
n.pr
Extremists Links: Elected officials have increasingly become the target violence, and harassment has become a 'predictable part of public service — so common it often goes unreported.'
Extremists Links: Elected Officials Increasingly Target of Violence and Harassment
Elected officials have increasingly become the target violence, and harassment has become a 'predictable part of public service — so common it often goes unreported.'
radicalreports.org
Our newly expanded BDI-CivicPulse survey finds that local elected officials are looking for additional resources to mitigate the escalating risk of threats and violence, including enhanced privacy protections, personal security, and tools to manage conflict during public meetings.
Local Officials Seek Increased Safety Support Amid Heightened Threat Environment, Survey Results Show
Findings from our newly expanded survey indicate that local elected officials are looking for additional resources to mitigate the risk of threats and harassment, including enhanced privacy protection...
bridgingdivides.princeton.edu
(1/3) Catch up on our recent analysis: • Israel / Iran • Political violence • U.S. military deployment • Trump executive actions • Public health • European security • Corruption • United Nations / Counterterrorism • Series: Gender & protests in Iran www.justsecurity.org/114795/diges...
Digest of Recent Articles on Just Security (June 15-20, 2025)
Israel / Iran • Political violence • U.S. military deployment • Trump executive actions • Public health • European security • Corruption • United Nations / Counterterrorism • Series: Gender & protests...
justsecurity.org
Last weekend’s attack on two Minnesota lawmakers marks a deadly escalation of political violence in the U.S. and comes during a period of elevated threats against officials around the country. For @justsecurity.org, I broke down BDI’s latest research into steps communities can take to respond.
How Communities Can Respond to Threats of Political Violence
Left unchecked, political violence will continue to pose a significant danger to community safety and the health of America’s democracy.
justsecurity.org
In the aftermath of the Minnesota attacks, how can communities respond to the growing threat of political violence? @samajones.bsky.social and Roudabeh Kishi offer a range of ideas, from expanding access to security funding to collaborative threat monitoring www.justsecurity.org/114944/minne...
How Communities Can Respond to Threats of Political Violence
Left unchecked, political violence will continue to pose a significant danger to community safety and the health of America’s democracy.
justsecurity.org
The targeted shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers this weekend underscore a grim trend: An increasingly volatile political climate has left state and local officials more exposed than ever to threats and harassment.
Minnesota shootings spotlight growing safety risks facing lawmakers
Some fear mounting threats could push people away from public service.
axios.com