Violent threats against officials are rising. Here’s why

FBI agents process the home of Craig Robertson who was shot and killed by the FBI in a raid on his home on August 9, 2023 in Provo, Utah. The FBI was investigating alleged threats by Robertson to President Biden ahead of the president’s visit to the state this week.

George Frey/Getty Images

For extremism researchers, the shooting death this week of a Utah man who was alleged to have made violent threats against President Joe Biden and other public officials highlights a concerning trend. For years, they have watched a steady escalation in violent political rhetoric that appears to be fueling acts of real-life violence.

On Wednesday, the FBI shot and killed Craig Robertson of Provo, Utah as they attempted to arrest him due to his alleged threats ahead of a visit to Utah by Biden. Federal charges against the 75-year-old laid out a history of violent social media posts, not just about the president, but also a range of Democratic politicians and officials, including New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Vice President Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Robertson has been on the FBI’s radar since March, based on a tip from a social media platform, reportedly Truth Social, the company backed by former President Donal Trump. He allegedly posted direct language about his dream to “eradicate” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, before Bragg’s office indicted Trump.

Many of Robertson’s alleged posts contained specific locations, graphic descriptions of imagining watching his targets die and photographs of firearms he appeared to have access to. The word ‘assasination’…