A Wall Street Journal analysis published in early 2026 found that antigovernment violence in the United States reached a 30-year high in 2025, with more than 100 incidents recorded. The report, titled 'The Year of the Molotov Cocktail,' documented a sharp rise in attacks targeting federal buildings, law enforcement, and political figures.
The analysis, based on data from the Global Terrorism Database and other sources, identified a significant increase in the use of incendiary devices such as Molotov cocktails. The Journal noted that the violence was driven by a mix of far-right extremists, anti-government militia groups, and individuals influenced by conspiracy theories.
Experts cited in the report pointed to a polarized political climate and the spread of misinformation online as key factors. The number of incidents in 2025 was more than double the annual average of the previous decade, according to the data reviewed by the Journal.
The report also highlighted that while the total number of fatalities remained relatively low compared to the 1990s, the frequency and geographic spread of attacks had increased. Law enforcement agencies have struggled to keep pace with the decentralized nature of the threat.
