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There's no denying the rise in political tensions and division over the past several years. More Americans have begun viewing people with different political views as an enemy that's out to ruin the nation.

On top of this, certain officials, like Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, endorsed a "national divorce" that would entail red states and blue states permanently separating from one another.

As things currently stand, there's no indication that political hostility will die down anytime soon. Leaders on both sides of the aisle have orated about uniting the country and turning down the temperature. Though, at the end of the day, this has yet to materialize.

To the contrary, a brand new poll now indicates that a concerning level of support for political violence exists in America.

A troubling turn of events

Earlier this week, the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) released a survey that shows a growing number of people support physically acting against those they perceive to be the enemy.

Based on the poll's findings, 23% of Americans believe the current state of affairs justifies turning to violence to save the nation. Back in 2021, only 15% of Americans harbored this sentiment.

Included among the Americans who support political violence are 13% of Democrats, 22% of Independents, and about 33% of Republicans. While these numbers may appear small on paper, they still account for a sizable portion of people in this country.

Based on the aforementioned findings, the PRRI is already sounding the alarm. According to Robert P Jones, the institute's founder, support for political violence, combined with the approaching 2024 election, should cause public apprehension.

What happens next?

To state the obvious, it's not in America's best interest to have rising numbers of citizens in favor of political violence. The fact that this sentiment exists ahead of an election year - a period known for its controversy - only makes the problem worse.

Moreover, a large factor driving political division is the echo chambers that exist on both sides of the aisle. Far too often, people are told - rather directly or indirectly - that anyone who differs from them (even slightly) on politics is the enemy.

One way or another, something has to give.