What are the most notable instances of left-wing violence in the U.S. since 2014?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, left-wing violence in the United States since 2014 has been relatively limited compared to right-wing extremism, though recent data shows a notable shift in 2025. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reports that 2025 marked the first year in over 30 years where left-wing attacks outnumbered far-right attacks ^[1]. However, this increase must be contextualized within the broader landscape of political violence.

Left-wing terrorism is defined broadly to include violence motivated by opposition to capitalism, imperialism, or colonialism; black nationalism; support for LGBTQ+ rights; environmental or animal rights causes; pro-communist or pro-socialist beliefs; anti-fascist rhetoric; opposition to government authority; anarchism; or partisan extremism ^[1].

Historical examples of left-wing violence mentioned in the analyses include the Animal Liberation Front and Earth Liberation Front arson and vandalism campaigns during the 1990s and 2000s, as well as violence during Seattle May Day protests in 2016 ^[2]. More recent incidents include attacks on government and law enforcement facilities, firebombings against pro-life targets, and notably, the killing of Charlie Kirk ^[1].

The lethality of left-wing attacks remains significantly lower than other forms of extremist violence. Left-wing attacks have resulted in only two fatalities since 2020, making them "remarkably less lethal overall than jihadist or right-wing attacks" ^[1]. Left-wing extremist incidents have historically comprised about 10% to 15% of all extremist incidents but less than 5% of fatalities ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The question lacks crucial context about the relative scale and impact of left-wing versus right-wing violence. Multiple sources emphasize that right-wing ideologies have fueled more than 70% of all extremist attacks and domestic terrorism plots in the United States since 2002 according to the Anti-Defamation League ^[3]. Right-wing extremist violence has been "more frequent and more lethal than left-wing violence," with most domestic terrorists in the U.S. being "politically on the right" ^[2].

The overall rarity of politically motivated violence provides important perspective. One analysis notes that politically motivated violence accounts for only 0.35% of all murders since 1975, with right-wing terrorists responsible for the majority of murders, followed by Islamist terrorists, and then left-wing terrorists ^[4]. This suggests that the threat from politically motivated terrorism is relatively small in the broader context of violent crime ^[4].

The timing and political context of recent changes is significant. The rise in left-wing violence has been particularly pronounced since President Donald Trump's rise to political prominence in 2016 ^{[1] [5]}. Conversely, the study suggests that the drop in right-wing incidents in 2025 may be tied to Trump's 2024 election win ^[5].

Investigative findings also provide important context. Regarding the high-profile Charlie Kirk assassination, federal investigations have found "no evidence" connecting the alleged shooter to left-wing groups, despite claims by President Trump and his administration that left-wing groups were responsible ^[3].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question, while factually neutral in its phrasing, potentially creates a misleading impression by focusing exclusively on left-wing violence without acknowledging the broader context of political extremism in the United States. This framing could inadvertently amplify concerns about left-wing violence while ignoring the documented reality that right-wing violence has been statistically more prevalent and deadly.

The question's timeframe (since 2014) may also introduce bias by potentially capturing a period when left-wing activity increased following Trump's political emergence, while not providing historical context about the longer-term patterns of political violence in America.

The emphasis on "notable instances" could lead to sensationalized reporting that amplifies the perceived threat of left-wing violence beyond its actual statistical impact. As noted in the analyses, politically motivated violence has a disproportionate impact because even rare incidents can amplify fear, influence policy, and deepen societal polarization ^[2], making balanced reporting crucial to avoid contributing to this amplification effect.