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FBI data shows an “unmistakable pattern” of reported hate crimes spiking during presidential elections, according to a new report.
Data going back to 2008 reveals increases in hate crimes against racial groups around general elections, according to the report from the Leadership Conference Education Fund, a national civil rights group.
“What it shows is an extremely disturbing and sadly not so surprising trend,” said the fund’s CEO, Maya Wiley.
Since 2015, hate crimes have increased at a staggering rate of more than 80%, the report found.
The data also showed 2021 had the highest number of reported hate crimes on record since the FBI began publishing data in 1991.
Authors of the report issue a stark warning that “there are few – if any – signs that tensions will lessen.”
The report says that in 2023, the U.S. is “rife with opportunities” for increased hate crimes to continue into the 2024 election, which will see Donald Trump run for president again.
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What is a hate crime?
A hate crime, by definition, includes a motivation rooted in bias, according to the Justice Department. Bias can be based on a victim’s perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability.
Hate crime laws vary by state as to which aspects of a victim’s identity can form the basis for bias, but race and religion are two of the most commonly found on the books.
Hate crimes are usually of a violent nature, but may also include threats of violence. The FBI notes hate crimes may be wholly or partially motivated by bias, but that hate alone without the addition of a criminal act is not illegal.
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Hate crimes on the rise since 2015
Across the U.S., the most hate crimes occur against Black people, the report says. Religious groups, like Jews and Muslims, and LGBTQ people also face high numbers of hate crimes.
The election of the first Black president led to a spike in hate crimes in 2008, the report says, and they’ve been consistently on the rise since Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2015.
Hate crimes have nearly doubled since 2015, the report says. Since then, hate crimes have not returned to their pre-Trump levels, the authors say.
“We should assume that unless we’re acting now, that we’re going to see another increase in hate crimes in the 2024 election cycle,” Wiley said.
Different demographic groups saw different increases in hate crimes in recent years, according to the report:
- Anti-Muslim hate crimes increased by nearly 70% from 2014 to 2015.
- Anti-Asian hate crimes increased nearly 150% from 2019 to 2020.
- There was a record high of 3,697 anti-Semitic incidents in 2022, a 36% increase from 2021.
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White supremacy driving trend
While not all hate crimes are committed by white supremacists, white supremacists have been particularly active during the last four presidential elections, the report says.
Because white supremacist violence has become such a serious threat, the FBI has recognized it “as the greatest domestic threat to the United States,” the report says.
Authors of the report say people need to talk openly about examples of racism and hate throughout U.S. history, not ignore them or prevent others from having the conversation.
“We do see a difference when leaders speak out, we do see a difference when we support communities coming together and getting to know each other,” Wiley said. “We can do that in advance of the election cycle, so that we can try to change this devastating, historic trend,” she added.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY
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