How Social Unrest Drives the Demand for Strong Leaders

New Psychology Research: Seeing Social Breakdown Makes Strong Authoritarian Leaders More Appealing

Above: California National Guard TaskForce51 protecting federal functions, personnel and property. Image by U.S. Northern Command via Wikimedia Commons.

Two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot in political attacks as No Kings protests began on Donald Trump’s 79th birthday (the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army).

Police said the shooter had numerous “No Kings” flyers in his vehicle.

Army parades and No Kings protests accompanied the shootings — an assassin coming to the homes of elected leaders. It was all breaking news — and hearts.

The Latest Assassinations and Riots: Why Political Unrest Shapes Voter Preferences for Strong Leadership

Melissa Hortman, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, was assassinated along with her husband. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot but expected to survive.

Days earlier, Hortman and Hoffman made news by breaking with their party by voting with Republicans for a bill taking Medicaid benefits away from undocumented immigrants.

“I know people are hurt by that vote,’’ Hortman said in emotional tears after reaching a budget deal with Republicans. “I did…