The Gray Area with Sean Illing America chose violence. Now what?
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Oct 13, 2025 
Barbara Walter, a political scientist from UC San Diego and author of 'How Civil Wars Start,' shares insights on America's rising political violence. She highlights the dangers of partisan rhetoric and how domestic terror is largely driven by far-right actors. Walter discusses the modern patterns of insurgency and the growing public acceptance of political violence. She warns that the U.S. is in a precarious state for potential civil conflict, stressing the importance of grassroots efforts to uphold democratic norms.
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Leaders Exploit Violence For Politics
- Political leaders now often exploit violent incidents for partisan gain instead of calling for unity.
- Barbara F. Walter says this shift amplifies fear and normalizes violent rhetoric in public life.
Violence Is No Longer One-Sided
- Violence is increasingly bilateral: the far left's attacks are rising while the far right has dominated historically.
- Walter warns dual-sided violence fuels mutual recruitment and escalates perceived existential threats.
Institutional Leadership Has Weakened
- Current leadership of key agencies lacks experience and is politicized, undermining response capacity.
- Walter argues politicized leaders may ignore or shield threats for partisan reasons.
