Fears of political violence are growing as the 2024 campaign heats up and conspiracy theories evolve

Experts on extremism fear that the threat of politically motivated violence will intensify as the 2024 presidential campaign heats up. Conspiracy theories that demonized Donald Trump’s enemies are morphing and spreading as the front-runner for the Republican nomination aims for a return to the White House. The potential for danger was highlighted by last year’s attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in their San Francisco home. David DePape, who was convicted this past week of bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with a hammer, had testified that he consumed a steady diet of right-wing conspiracy theories before the attack. The assault took place less than two weeks before the 2022 midterm elections.