Waikato law professor concerned US ‘left-wing terror attacks’ on the rise after Washington shooting

The Shifting Landscape of Political Violence

For decades, the conversation around domestic terrorism in the United States focused primarily on right-wing and religious-based extremism. But, a disturbing trend is emerging: a resurgence of left-wing violence as a direct reaction to right-wing leadership.

University of Waikato Law Professor Alexander Gillespie notes that while left-wing terror attacks were largely a phenomenon of the 1960s and 1970s, the political pendulum is now swinging back. This shift suggests that as political polarization deepens, the motivations for violence are diversifying.

Analyzing the Rise of Left-Wing Extremism

The rise in left-wing violence is not a sudden spike but a gradual increase. CSIS data indicates that this trend has been climbing for the last decade, accelerating particularly since 2016. Despite this growth, researchers emphasize that left-wing terror remains significantly lower than the historical levels of violence associated with right-wing and jihadist attackers.

The motivations often stem from a perceived “duty” to target specific administration officials. A recent example is the case of Cole Tomas Allen, who allegedly sent a note to family members before attacking the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, describing himself as a “friendly federal assassin.”

A Novel Profile for Political Actors

Modern political violence is no longer confined to a single demographic. The profile of suspects is evolving to include highly educated professionals. Cole Tomas Allen, for instance, was a Caltech graduate, a computer engineer, and a part-time teacher for C2 Education.

This intersection of technical expertise and political radicalization presents a new challenge for security agencies. The ability of suspects to blend into professional environments—while maintaining a hidden ideological drive—makes detection increasingly complex.

Comparing Tactics and Lethality

While the frequency of attacks may be shifting, the nature of the violence differs between ideological extremes. A 2022 study from the University of Maryland found that attacks by left-wing extremists are generally less likely to result in fatalities when compared to those carried out by right-wing extremists.

However, the intent remains high-profile. Recent attempts to target leadership, such as the shooting at the Washington Hilton, demonstrate a focus on high-visibility events to maximize political impact. In that incident, the suspect was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives, targeting a gathering of the President and other top White House officials.

Future Trends in Domestic Security

As we look forward, security strategies are likely to shift toward monitoring a broader range of ideological signals. The use of electronic devices and personal writings—such as the manifestos and electronics analyzed by the FBI in recent cases—will remain critical for determining motives and preventing future attacks.

the trend of “reactionary violence” suggests that as long as political leadership remains highly polarized, the risk of retaliatory attacks from opposing sides will persist. Understanding the cyclical nature of this violence is key to developing effective counter-terrorism policies.

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