Trump's 'Peace' Leaves Trail of Violence and Hate

Divisive rhetoric and policies have fueled rise in hate crimes, mass shootings, and political violence under Trump's presidency

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Since Donald Trump entered politics in 2015, the United States has seen a sharp rise in hate crimes, mass shootings, and political violence, despite Trump's claims of bringing 'peace' to various global conflicts. The article examines how Trump's inflammatory rhetoric and policies, particularly on immigration, have contributed to an increasingly divided and violent political landscape in America.

Why it matters

Trump's brand of divisive politics has eroded social cohesion and emboldened extremist elements, posing a serious threat to public safety and democratic norms. Understanding the real-world consequences of his presidency is crucial to addressing the deep divisions in American society.

The details

The article cites numerous examples of increased hate crimes, mass shootings, and political violence since Trump took office in 2017. This includes a 20% rise in hate crimes reported by the FBI, a doubling of the annual rate of mass shootings compared to the Obama era, and instances of school bullying, antisemitic attacks, and political violence targeting Trump's opponents and critics.

  • In his 2016 campaign, Trump launched his first anti-immigration rhetoric, describing Mexican immigrants as 'rapists' and 'criminals'.
  • Since Trump entered politics in 2015, hate crimes in the US have increased by just under 20% according to a 2020 FBI report.
  • During the Obama years (2009-2016), there were 213 mass shootings at schools, churches, or shopping areas, averaging 26.6 per year. Under Trump (2017-2025), the total number rose to 556, averaging 61.8 per year.
  • In 2022, a deranged attacker broke into the San Francisco home of then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and assaulted her husband, Paul Pelosi.
  • On January 6, 2021, Trump encouraged his supporters to 'march on Congress and fight like hell', leading to the attack on the US Capitol.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, whose divisive rhetoric and policies have been blamed for fueling a rise in hate crimes, mass shootings, and political violence during his presidency.

Nancy Pelosi

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, whose husband was the victim of a violent attack in their San Francisco home in 2022.

The Squad

A group of four progressive Democratic members of the US House of Representatives - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib - who were the targets of Trump's racist rhetoric.

Adam Schiff

The Democratic Congressman from California who led the impeachment efforts against Trump, and received a threatening voicemail from one of Trump's supporters.

Bruce Springsteen

The acclaimed singer-songwriter who wrote a song criticizing Trump's policies and the violence that occurred in Minneapolis in the 'winter of '26'.

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What they’re saying

“He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don't want the best for them... maybe they can convince me that that's not right, but I can't stand my opponent.”

— Donald Trump, President

“This is my 21st year of teaching. This is the first time I've had a student call another student the N-word.”

— Elementary school teacher in Georgia

“We'll take our stand for this land And the stranger in our midst We'll remember the names of those who died On the streets of Minneapolis...”

— Bruce Springsteen, Singer-songwriter

What’s next

The article does not mention any specific future newsworthy events related to the story.

The takeaway

Trump's divisive brand of politics has fueled a dangerous rise in hate, violence, and political extremism in America, eroding social cohesion and democratic norms. Addressing these deep divisions will require a concerted effort to reject hateful rhetoric, promote unity, and uphold the principles of equality and justice for all.