Rule of Law & National Security
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Intimidation & Political Violence

Encouraging or providing cover for intimidation or political violence against judges, political opponents, journalists, or others who hold a different opinion; pardoning political violence

7.0
High
Domain Avg7.3
Election Interference7Legal / Defying Court Orders8National Security7
Updated2026-04-02

Why This Score

This category scores 7/10, placing it in the High tier (7-8): “Systematic targeting of judges and opponents, mass pardons for political violence, armed groups mobilizing”

  • 1.Four active federal judges held unprecedented public forum reading death threats aloud (March 19); Chief Justice Roberts warned attacks must stop; U.S. Marshals report 564 threats in FY2025, with 129 judges already named in protective investigations in FY2026 (Washington Post/NBC News)
  • 2.Capitol Police on track to investigate 14,000 threats against lawmakers in 2026, up from 9,474 in 2024; 40% of election officials report threats; 21% say they are unlikely to serve through 2026 midterms (Brennan Center/Votebeat)
  • 3.'No Kings' March 28 protest mobilized 8-9 million people across 3,300+ events — largest single-day protest in U.S. history; nationwide general strike planned for May 1; FBI investigating 2,700+ domestic terrorism cases (CNN/NPR)

Score History

July 2025Score: 5
August 2025Score: 5
September 20255 → 6

January 6 pardons for ~1,500 defendants including seditious conspiracy convictions generated significant public division

October 2025Score: 6
November 2025Score: 6
December 2025Score: 6
January 2026Score: 6
February 20266 → 7

Two U.S. citizens killed by federal agents; DHS admitted agents lied under oath; Minnesota general strike; 457 judges targeted with threats (150% increase); 33+ pardoned Jan 6 defendants rearrested

March 2026Score: 7

Scoring Rubric

1-2

Baseline threat levels, isolated incidents, healthy political debate

3-4

Elevated threats, concerning rhetoric from officials, increasing polarization

5-6

Pattern of intimidation, sporadic political violence, dehumanizing rhetoric normalized

7-8Current

Systematic targeting of judges and opponents, mass pardons for political violence, armed groups mobilizing

9-10

State-sanctioned violence, journalists imprisoned, widespread political violence

Key Findings

1

Four active federal judges held unprecedented public forum reading death threats aloud (March 19); Chief Justice Roberts warned attacks must stop; U.S. Marshals report 564 threats in FY2025, with 129 judges already named in protective investigations in FY2026 (Washington Post/NBC News)

2

Capitol Police on track to investigate 14,000 threats against lawmakers in 2026, up from 9,474 in 2024; 40% of election officials report threats; 21% say they are unlikely to serve through 2026 midterms (Brennan Center/Votebeat)

3

'No Kings' March 28 protest mobilized 8-9 million people across 3,300+ events — largest single-day protest in U.S. history; nationwide general strike planned for May 1; FBI investigating 2,700+ domestic terrorism cases (CNN/NPR)

Sources

washingtonpost.comnbcnews.combrennancenter.orgcnn.comnpr.orgcitizensforethics.org

Related Executive Actions

View all →
22 total6 Partial2 Blocked7 In Court7 Implemented
29 legal challenges filed against related actions
Partial
Securing the Southern Border and Resumption of Border Wall Construction2025-01-20
Blocked
Executive Order Ending Birthright Citizenship2025-01-20
In Court
Alien Enemies Act Proclamation2025-03-14
Partial
Sanctuary Jurisdictions Executive Order2025-01-20
Partial
Travel Bans on 12 Countries and Expanded Restrictions2025-06-04
+ 17 more actions

Scenario Outlook

All scenarios →
Executive order declares national emergency over election integrity, mandating hand-counting and re-registration
moderate+1

Triggers nationwide protests and deepens partisan divide

USPS begins implementing mail-ballot citizenship screening before courts intervene
low+1

Widespread voter confusion and anger triggers protests and legal challenges

Congress passes legislation limiting federal court jurisdiction over executive actions
high+1

Eliminates primary legal avenue for challenging government overreach

House moves to impeach federal judges who ruled against administration
moderate+1

Further politicizes the judiciary

Insurrection Act invoked to deploy military against domestic protests
moderate+2

Military force used against civilian protesters

DOJ brings Espionage Act charges against journalist for publishing classified leaks
moderate+1

Chills whistleblowing and public access to government information

Direct confrontation between federal agents and state/local law enforcement over immigration enforcement
moderate+2

Federal-state enforcement conflict risks violence and constitutional crisis

Politically motivated attack on government official or facility
moderate+2

Escalates political violence trajectory

Planned May 1 nationwide general strike materializes with significant participation, disrupting economic activity
moderate+1

Mass civil disobedience escalates political polarization; government response may provoke further unrest

Economic Sensitivity

Full analysis →
Consumer ConfidenceSocial division directly impacts consumer sentiment-1.8% YoY
VIX (Volatility Index)Social unrest spikes volatility+19.8% YoY
GDP GrowthSocial instability reduces consumer/business confidence-70.8% YoY
Foreign Direct InvestmentSocial stability important for long-term FDI-48.3% YoY
S&P 500Social instability increases risk premium+1.2% YoY
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