New York Times reports surge in violent threats against U.S. elected officials

The New York Times reported on Oct. 11, 2026 that violent threats against elected officials in the United States surged dramatically between 2024 and August 2026.

According to the investigation, which drew on more than 100 open‑record requests, Freedom of Information Act filings, court documents and law‑enforcement logs, thousands of threats were directed at public officials during the two‑year period. The tally includes at least 70 U.S. senators, 185 members of the House of Representatives and 44 state governors.

The Times highlighted several high‑profile officials who received threats, naming Rep. Elissa Slotkin, Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as examples. The threats varied from vague intimidation to explicit promises of torture, stabbing, rape and murder, and often extended to family members such as spouses, parents, siblings and children.

Both major parties were represented among the targets, underscoring the bipartisan nature of the menace. The investigation noted that threats came from a wide range of actors and were recorded across the political spectrum, affecting officials from county clerks to senior members of Congress.

Following the publication, social‑media users launched a backlash, accusing the newspaper of bias and of failing to disclose who was perpetrating the violence. Critics argued that the story omitted key context about the origins of the threats and suggested the Times was framing the issue to target specific politicians.

Law‑enforcement agencies continue to monitor the flow of threats and advise officials on security measures. The New York Times’ report adds to a growing national conversation about political violence, media responsibility and the need for comprehensive data on intimidation directed at public servants.