UNITED STATES

In 2025, the United States is again facing major internal tensions following the November 2024 presidential election, won by Donald Trump, who returned to office after an extremely polarised vote. His victory reignited social, racial and ideological divisions, triggering mass protests across major cities, sometimes accompanied by violent clashes with police.

The political climate is marked by rising hostility between the executive and parts of the institutional apparatus (judiciary, federal agencies, media), along with efforts to reassert federal authority in some states. Public trust in institutions, extreme political polarisation and the spread of conspiracist and violent discourse are undermining democratic stability.

Externally-driven terrorism is now considered secondary to domestic threats, particularly from white supremacist groups, armed militias and individuals radicalised by political or religious ideologies. Several planned attacks and acts of targeted violence were foiled in 2024, while mass shootings remain frequent (over 600 incidents in 2024 according to the Gun Violence Archive).

The proliferation of firearms, permissive laws in certain states, and ineffective federal controls create a high-risk environment in public spaces — including schools, malls, places of worship and sporting events.

Large cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco are generally safe in central and tourist areas, but have seen a rise in petty crime and violence in some urban or peripheral districts. Social, racial and political tensions sometimes erupt into localised riots.

The US faces increasing natural disasters: massive wildfires in California, hurricanes in the southeast (Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Texas), floods in the Midwest, and extreme heat or cold. These events regularly cause population displacement, power outages and large-scale disruption.

Infrastructure remains generally robust, but rural or socially deprived areas often lack equal access to healthcare, security and transport.

For travellers, the US remains a well-connected, infrastructure-rich destination. However, the political climate, widespread gun access, and risk of unpredictable violence (shootings, protests, natural disasters) demand increased vigilance. Travellers are advised to check local alerts, avoid political gatherings, and monitor security and weather warnings.