Seven in ten say political violence is never justified
Core finding
Most Americans (71%) say political violence is never justified under any circumstances, according to a Verasight survey conducted Sept. 22-29, 2025.
Roughly a quarter (23%) say it can be justified to defend the country. Fewer than one-in-ten point to supporting a broad political movement (5%), a political party (4%), or promoting a candidate (4%).
Topline distribution
Seven in ten say political violence is never justified.
Under what circumstances is political violence justified?
n = 1,000 · Sep 22–29, 2025 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Sep 22–29, 2025 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | Verasight APSA Omnibus Survey #2025-119 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/apsa-2025
Under what circumstances is political violence justified?
Cite this question
Verasight APSA Omnibus Survey #2025-119, fielded September 22-29, 2025, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.