Dealing With The Assassination Attempt?
Will the shooting of former President Trump impact the election?
In the immediate aftermath of the event, it’s hard to tell. But a few things are clear:
Trump will milk the attack for everything it’s worth. It makes him a victim, and the miraculous martyr who nearly sacrificed his life. His supporters think he’s a a God. Now they’re sure of it.
The country needs a comprehensive, bipartisan investigation and explanations of the security failure. And Republicans have leaped to place the blame directly on President Biden and place Democrats in the defensive for daring to speak critically of Donald Trump.
Right-wingers on social media and in Congress haven’t waited for an investigation to blame Democrats for the shooting. They are in a rage, leaping to judgment and attacking their political opponents without evidence. While some have called for unity, most of their rhetoric is dangerously divisive and inflammatory, but in keeping with their previous paranoia and projection.
A strong messianic theme underlies much of the right-wing approach. They see Trump as a martyr for their cause and all kinds of conspiracies to hurt him and them. They’ve had no qualms about hurling baseless accusations at Joe Biden and Democrats.
Elected Democrats have taken an opposite tack, making conciliatory statements and calling for unity.
Fortunately, some independent voices on social media have been less sympathetic. Some have proposed conspiracy theories or found humor or irony in violence being visited on the most divisive figure in America today.
There are enough questions about the shooting to warrant conspiratorial speculations. Proposing a counter-narrative also balances the playing field between left and right and opens new fronts in the battle for control of the national narrative. But Democrats have to be wary of being closely identified with the wildest speculation.
Democrats must hold right-wingers, especially elected officials, spewing lies on social media to account. If the social media platforms don’t act, Congress must.
Democrats should apologize for any statements they've made that could possibly be construed as inflammatory, while maintaining their absolute commitment to expressing their concerns over the threat Trump poses to America.
They might consider using lines like, "If you don't like the truth about the potential for dictatorial rule and the destruction of democracy, maybe you shouldn't be supporting an anti-freedom agenda." Put the onus on the Trump supporters without actually making accusations.
Joe Biden’s public statements and call to Trump were thoughtful, unifying, and likely meaningless. He must follow-up with a demand for an investigation into the apparent failure of the Secret Service. He should publicly ask the Trump campaign what additional security measures he can take for them. He should also heed the request of the campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secret Service protection.
He should also consider legislation to ban AR type weapons. Call it the Presidential Protection Act. Let’s see Republicans oppose it. If they want to go to absurd lengths, they could insist that everyone at a rally be armed. But Republicans might take them up on it.
No matter what, Democrats should avoid making jokes about the attack. It’s tempting. Don’t do it. And condemn those who do, even if they’re friends. Everything Dems do can and will be held against them.