America is no stranger to political violence. It has raised its ugly head with almost frightening regularity at times of extreme polarisation throughout the country’s history. 

But for the most part, incidents of assassinations, or attempted assassinations, trigger such shock across the political spectrum that all sides step back from the precipice and cooler heads prevail. Will that be the case in 2024?

The mood on both sides of the political aisle does not lend itself to cool heads or calm nerves. Both Democrats and Republicans have used fear to motivate their bases over the course of the 2024 campaign, and both have warned that a victory in November by their rival presidential candidate will spell the end of America as we know it. It is not an atmosphere conducive to a return to electoral normality.