Lawmakers warn of potential political violence as rhetoric heats up

Some national leaders say there is a potential for political violence, fueled by the investigation of documents seized from Mar-a-Lago. Mary Peltola defeated Sarah Palin in a special election for Congress in Alaska. And NFL linebacker Manti Te'o reflects on how his Polynesian identity factored into the 2013 catfishing scandal and backlash that followed.

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Some national leaders say there is a potential for political violence, fueled by the investigation of documents seized from Mar-a-Lago. Mary Peltola defeated Sarah Palin in a special election for Congress in Alaska. And NFL linebacker Manti Te'o reflects on how his Polynesian identity factored into the 2013 catfishing scandal and backlash that followed.   Here's what we're watching this Thursday morning. Lawmakers warn of potential political violence in campaign's homestretch Sen. Lindsey Graham faced criticism this week after claiming that there would be "riots in the streets" if the Justice Department prosecutes Trump. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images file)   National leaders are warning of the potential for political violence as campaign rhetoric heats up, fueled by an FBI investigation into Donald Trump's handling of classified documents that has generated a furious backlash from him and his supporters.   With less than 10 weeks to go before the midterm elections, the political climate is increasingly volatile, experts who study extremism say. Federal agencies like the IRS, FBI and National Archives are beefing up security as they become targets of the right. And lawmakers — such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif.; and others — are disclosing threats and openly predicting violence.    Read the full story here.   More developments in the investigation of documents seized from Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate:  Trump's legal team renewed its request on Wednesday for a third party to review documents seized from Mar-a-Lago in response to the DOJ's filing opposing Trump's request for a special master.  New information about how and where Trump's passports were found could spell major trouble, legal experts told NBC News. Thursday's Top Stories Russia accused of shelling nuclear plant as U.N. team set to inspect it Europe's largest nuclear power plant faced new danger Thursday as Ukraine accused Russian forces of shelling the site and the route being used by a team of international inspectors trying to gain access to the facility. READ MORE Mary Peltola defeats Sarah Palin to become first Native American representing Alaska in Congress Democrat Mary Peltola, a former state representative, won a special election that included GOP candidates Nick Begich and former Gov. Sarah Palin, NBC News projects. The race was Alaska's first test of ranked-choice voting.  READ MORE Records lost, hundreds of displaced students: Kentucky floods have thrown schools into crisis mode While most students across the country are kicking off the new school year, many in eastern Kentucky school districts are still figuring out where they will attend classes or when they'll be able to start. More than 7,600 students are still affected. READ MORE Mikhail Gorbachev, mourned in the West, gets a frosty goodbye in Russia Mikhail Gorbachev's death is being mourned by the U.S. and its allies, but his legacy is very different at home, where many view him as the man responsible for the collapse of the Soviet Union — and the loss of global status and economic security that followed. READ MORE Satellite images show Pakistan's devastation — with an area the size of Wyoming underwater Pakistan's landscape has been transformed, homes and buildings have been swept away and farmland turned into mud across swaths of the country, new satellite imagery of the recent deadly flooding shows. READ MORE Editor's Pick A decade after catfishing incident, Manti Te'o reflects on his identity and masculinity NFL linebacker Manti Te'o, the victim of a major 2013 catfishing scandal that is the subject of a recent Netflix documentary, has been reflecting on how his Polynesian identity factored into the incident and the backlash. He's moved past it all — almost. It's thanks, in part, to what he describes as embracing the "aloha spirit." READ MORE Also in the News FDA authorizes Pfizer's and Moderna's updated Covid booster shots Reliable water service still days away for Jackson, Mississippi, residents, officials warn Bank of America announces zero down payment mortgages for Black and Latino homebuyers Serena Williams extends her farewell tour with another win in the U.S. Open John Eastman pleads the Fifth in Georgia election probe Ku Klux Klan plaque is mounted at the entrance of West Point's science center, congressional commission finds Family blasts South Dakota school hair length policy that would have required child to cut locks Select: Online shopping, simplified This holiday weekend, you can save on everything from grills and cookware to mattresses and TVs. Here are 50+ Labor Day deals to check out. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. 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