How do right-wing extremist-related homicides compare to other types of extremist violence in the USA?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that right-wing extremist-related homicides are a significant concern in the United States, with most sources indicating that they account for a substantial proportion of extremist-related murders ^{[1] [2]}. According to the ADL Center on Extremism, in 2021, most of the murders were committed by right-wing extremists, which is consistent with previous years ^[1]. Similarly, in 2024, all of the documented murders connected to extremist ideology were linked to right-wing extremism ^[2]. The data also shows that right-wing extremist violence has been more frequent and deadly than left-wing violence, accounting for approximately 75% to 80% of U.S. domestic terrorism deaths since 2001 ^[3]. However, it is essential to note that the context and comparison to other types of extremist violence can alter the perception of these statistics, as one source suggests that if the 9/11 attacks are excluded, right-wing extremist-related homicides account for 63% of all terrorist murders ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key aspect missing from the original statement is the comparison to other types of extremist violence, such as Islamist ideology, which, according to one source, is responsible for 87% of terrorist murders in the United States since 1975, although this figure drastically changes when the 9/11 attacks are excluded ^[4]. Another viewpoint comes from a source that compares political violence by left-wing, right-wing, and Islamist extremists, finding that radical acts perpetrated by individuals associated with left-wing causes are less likely to be violent ^[5]. Additionally, the growing concern of right-wing extremist-related terrorism, with a 320% rise in attacks between 2014 and 2018, highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the trend and comparison to other forms of extremism ^[6]. The lack of direct comparisons to other types of extremist violence in some analyses ^[6] also limits the understanding of the relative threat posed by right-wing extremism.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be subject to bias due to the lack of context regarding other types of extremist violence, potentially overemphasizing the threat of right-wing extremism ^[4]. The sources that consistently report right-wing extremist violence as more frequent and deadly than left-wing violence may benefit organizations focused on monitoring and combating right-wing extremism, such as the ADL Center on Extremism ^{[1] [2]}. Conversely, sources that provide a broader comparison, including Islamist ideology, may benefit from a more nuanced discussion on extremism, acknowledging the complexity of the issue ^{[4] [5]}. The PBS News and ADL Center on Extremism may benefit from emphasizing the threat of right-wing extremism, as it aligns with their focus on domestic terrorism and extremism ^[3].