The Trump campaign is taking decisive action after a second assassination attempt against the former president. As reported by RedState, the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was fired upon and arrested Sunday after being spotted in a tree line, seemingly preparing for an attack. Routh’s background reveals a person radicalized by the narrative that Trump is a “threat to democracy.”
As outlined by Teri Cristopher, Kamala Harris has frequently used this phrase to describe Trump, portraying him as a would-be dictator. The Trump campaign responded by releasing a comprehensive list of statements made by Democratic politicians and media figures, underscoring the potential consequences of such rhetoric.
Among the more shocking remarks was Harris asking, “Does one of us have to come out alive?” and Joe Biden declaring, “It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.” Other Democrats have made similarly inflammatory statements, like Rep. Jason Crow (CO) calling Trump “an extreme danger to our democracy,” and Rep. Stacey Plaskett (VI) saying, “He needs to be shot,” during a 2023 appearance on MSNBC.
The full list of statements, which the campaign provided with links, serves a larger point: framing Trump as a figure akin to Adolf Hitler, or suggesting he will imprison marginalized groups, fuels extreme reactions. It begs the question, if Trump is truly as dangerous as portrayed, why wouldn’t someone attempt to stop him?
However, it’s clear Trump is not the monster Democrats claim. Disliking his policies or persona doesn’t justify such extreme and dangerous hyperbole. While not every Democrat quoted is calling for Trump’s assassination, they are undeniably contributing to a climate that invites violence. This latest attempt on Trump’s life is the second one. The excuse of ignorance is no longer valid.
Finally, the Trump campaign’s decision to spotlight these Democratic statements underscores a broader strategy. For years, Democrats have accused Republicans of incitement with every controversial utterance. Now, it’s fair game to point out how Democrats’ inflammatory language has led to one of their own supporters attempting to kill Donald Trump.
