Fact check: How many people have been killed in left-wing vs right-wing extremist attacks in the US since 2016?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that right-wing extremist attacks have been responsible for the majority of fatalities from domestic terrorism in the US ^{[1] [2] [3]}. According to the sources, since 1975, right-wing terrorists have been responsible for 391 murders, while left-wing terrorists have been responsible for 65 murders ^[1]. Additionally, right-wing attacks and plots accounted for 57% of all terrorist incidents in the United States since 1994, resulting in 335 deaths, while left-wing attacks caused 22 deaths ^[3]. The data also indicates that right-wing extremist violence is more frequent and more deadly than left-wing violence ^[2]. However, the sources do not provide a direct comparison of the number of people killed in left-wing vs right-wing extremist attacks in the US since 2016 ^[4].

• Key statistics from the analyses include:
• 391 murders attributed to right-wing terrorists since 1975 ^[1]
• 65 murders attributed to left-wing terrorists since 1975 ^[1]
• 57% of all terrorist incidents in the US since 1994 were right-wing attacks and plots ^[3]
• 335 deaths caused by right-wing terrorist attacks ^[3]
• 22 deaths caused by left-wing attacks ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key context missing from the original statement includes the time frame for the comparison ^[4], as well as the specific ideologies and motivations behind the attacks ^{[5] [4]}. The sources also highlight the threat of lone offenders and small groups motivated by various ideologies ^[4], and the production, trafficking, and sale of illegal drugs by transnational and domestic criminal actors ^[4]. Alternative viewpoints may include the perspective of law enforcement and counter-terrorism agencies, who may have different assessments of the threat posed by left-wing and right-wing extremist groups ^[4]. The role of social media and online platforms in radicalizing individuals ^[6] is also an important context to consider.

• Key missing context includes:
• Time frame for the comparison ^[4]
• Specific ideologies and motivations behind the attacks ^{[5] [4]}
• Threat of lone offenders and small groups motivated by various ideologies ^[4]
• Production, trafficking, and sale of illegal drugs by transnational and domestic criminal actors ^[4]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be biased towards highlighting the threat of left-wing extremist attacks, when in fact the data suggests that right-wing extremist attacks are more frequent and deadly ^{[1] [2] [3]}. The sources also note that domestic violent extremists, including those motivated by left-wing and right-wing ideologies, pose a significant threat to public safety and security ^[4], which may not be accurately reflected in the original statement. The Cato Institute and other think tanks may have different methodologies and definitions of terrorism, which could impact the accuracy of the data ^{[1] [7]}. Law enforcement and counter-terrorism agencies may benefit from a nuanced understanding of the threat posed by both left-wing and right-wing extremist groups ^[4].

• Potential biases and misinformation include:
• Bias towards highlighting the threat of left-wing extremist attacks ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Inaccurate reflection of the threat posed by domestic violent extremists ^[4]
• Different methodologies and definitions of terrorism used by think tanks ^{[1] [7]}