Majority of Americans believe current political climate increases likelihood of violence in snap post-assassination attempt poll

A snap poll released by YouGov on Sunday morning revealed that a majority of Americans believe the current political climate increases the likelihood of politically motivated violence. This comes in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. The poll was conducted immediately after the Pennsylvania shooting, which left one attendee dead and resulted in an injury for Trump when a bullet pierced his right ear.

According to the poll, 67 percent of US adults think the present political environment makes politically motivated violence more likely. Only 8 percent believe it is less likely, and 10 percent said the current climate makes politically motivated violence the same. Additionally, the poll found that half of US adults view political violence as a “very big problem” in the country right now, while 32 percent consider it “somewhat” of an issue.

Confidence in the Secret Service's ability to protect presidential candidates is mixed among respondents. Only 20 percent said they were “very confident,” 45 percent were “somewhat confident,” 17 percent were “not very confident,” and 7 percent were “not at all confident.”

In response to the assassination attempt, Trump posted a call for unity on Truth Social on Sunday morning, saying “In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” Trump said in a post. “I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin."

President Joe Biden spoke from the White House on Sunday. "Unity is the most elusive goal of all, but nothing is important than that right now, unity. We'll debate and we'll disagree, that's not gonna change, but it's gonna, we're gonna not lose sight of the fact who we are as Americans," [sic] Biden said during his brief remarks, after which he took no questions from reporters. 

"We must unite as one nation," he said, "we must unite as one nation to demonstrate who we are."