Officeholders are reporting instances of abuse — including insults, harassment, threats, and physical attacks — at alarming levels. State and local governments and other stakeholders have a critical role to play in ensuring the democratic arena is safe and accessible for all.
Since 2020, the Brennan Center has documented, surveyed, and crafted recommendations to mitigate threats and attacks targeting state and local officeholders. In highlighting this deteriorating environment, we seek to identify opportunities to improve physical security measures at state capitols and other ways to protect officeholders’ personal safety.
