Days before the country marks one year since the deadly events of January 6, new polls released Sunday show the extent to which Americans' confidence in their own democracy and institutions has deteriorated since Donald Trump's supporters stormed the United States Capitol.
Roughly one-third of American voters believe that violence against the government could be justified, according to the Washington Post- University of Maryland's survey.
And according to CBS/YouGov polling, a majority of people think the violence seen on January 6th was just the beginning.
WaPo's poll, taken between December 19 and December 19, asks US adults: 'Do you think it is ever justified for citizens to take violent action against the government, or is it never justified?'
Thirty-four percent of respondents said it could be, while 62 percent believe it's never justified.
Among Republicans, the inclination toward violence is slightly higher with 40 percent -- or four in 10 GOP voters -- believing violent action against the government could be within reason.
But the notion was strongest among Independent voters, 41 percent of whom said it was justified.
Slightly more Republicans than Independents said violence against the government is never okay, while 74 percent of Democrats answered the same.
The Washington Post surveyed 1,101 American adults between December 17 and December 19
CBS also released a poll reflecting on the Capitol riot, finding that a majority of Americans think there is more to come
There was also a significant racial gap in responses, with 40 percent of white Americans compared to just 18 percent of black Americans believing aggressive tactics could be justified.
Among those who agree, some of the situations that could call for violence is government takeover of rights and freedoms, turning into a dictatorship or a military coup.
Another survey released today shows
