The 2024 United States presidential election was shadowed by an unprecedented wave of political violence, with experts like Barbara F. Walter and Neil Howe warning the nation may be nearing an era of unrest unseen since the Civil War. Since the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, Reuters identified at least 300 cases of political violence, including 51 in 2024 alone, while election workers faced thousands of death threats, some laced with fentanyl. Donald Trump emerged as a central figure, using dehumanizing rhetoric, suggesting military action against "the enemy from within," and refusing to rule out post-election violence, stating "it depends." Public anxiety was extreme, with a November 4 poll showing 72% of likely voters concerned about violence, prompting states like Washington, Oregon, and Nevada to place National Guard troops on standby. The threats have driven extensive security preparations—from active shooter drills to bullet-proof vests for poll workers—though many underfunded election boards struggle to cope. This climate of fear, fueled by extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, has led scholars to compare the current period to the most volatile eras in American history.