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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCourt filings reveal Avalos used the handle \u201cWacko\u201d on TikTok and had references to an \u201cAn Anarchist FAQ book\u201d in his profile. Authorities further noted his criminal history of violence: a July 2022 felony stalking conviction in Dakota County (Minnesota), an August 2016 felony third-degree domestic battery charge in Polk County, Florida, and an April 2016 misdemeanor domestic assault in Dakota County (originally a felony domestic assault by strangulation). The affidavit describes media concerns that Avalos has \u201canarchist ties,\u201d though the FBI has not publicly confirmed a full motive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Federal prosecutors say Avalos now faces a charge of interstate transmission of a threat to injure another person \u2014 a federal crime carrying potentially years in prison. His attorney, Daniel Gerdts, stated only that his client \u201cis not guilty of any crime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recent incidents of violence targeting Republican or conservative figures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While the Bondi case is extraordinary, it aligns with a growing body of incidents in which political actors \u2014 particularly those associated with the Republican side \u2014 have been targeted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- In September 2024, at least one apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump (the Republican former-President and leading 2024 nominee) was reported. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- More broadly, an analysis by the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) found that between 2016 and 2025 there were 25 attacks and plots targeting elected officials, candidates, judges and other government figures motivated by extremist partisan beliefs \u2014 more than triple the number in the previous 25 years combined.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- While some of the high-profile cases involve Democratic officials (for example, the June 2025 shootings of Minnesota legislators), the broader trend applies across the ideological spectrum: violence is trending upward, not just against one side but throughout government\u2014and conservatives are explicitly among the targets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Polls & studies confirm the spike in political violence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Bondi bounty scheme emerges against a backdrop of disturbing data indicating rising public concern and creeping acceptance of politically motivated violence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other surveys show that while majorities condemn political violence, many believe it will increase. For example, a CBS News poll found that people of all parties overwhelmingly find political violence unacceptable \u2014 yet they are concerned it will escalate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A recent study found that 86 % of Americans believe political violence is either a major or minor problem \u2014 the highest in two years. When asked whether political violence has increased over the past few years, 78 % said yes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Pew Research Center-sponsored survey<\/a> found that Americans believe politically-motivated violence is increasing, and that polarization is seen as a key cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A PBS\/NPR\/Marist poll<\/a> found that nearly one-third of Americans now believe political violence may be necessary to set the country back on track \u2014 up from 19 % about a year and a half earlier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other surveys show that while majorities condemn political violence, many believe it will increase. For example, a CBS News poll<\/a> found that people of all parties overwhelmingly find political violence unacceptable \u2014 yet they are concerned it will escalate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n