Post by aj2hall on Oct 5, 2022 0:59:35 GMT
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wapo.st/3SCicyZ
Opinion Mounting intimidation against members of Congress threatens us all
“I wouldn’t be surprised if a senator or House member were killed.” That was the chilling comment from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) about escalating threats of violence and other intimidating acts against members of Congress. We would like to think the senator was being hyperbolic, but it’s hard to look at the surge in violent threats and confrontations and not fear the worst. The nation’s lawmakers should be safe. A good starting point would be for Republican leaders to unequivocally denounce those in their party who have helped create this increasingly dangerous reality.
The threats — and the feeling of danger some members of Congress still feel after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters — has changed the way some lawmakers approach their job. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) told the Hill that he took the congressional license tags off his car because he didn’t want to be identified publicly and become the target of an attack. There are other insidious effects: creating more distance between elected representatives and those they serve, discouraging some people from entering public service, encouraging those who see politics as blood sport and use violent rhetoric to mobilize their base.
Which, of course, leads back to Mr. Trump and his latest, reckless attack on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) “He has a DEATH WISH,” Mr. Trump wrote on his social media website, Truth Social, attacking Mr. McConnell for failing to oppose Democrats with enough intensity. Republicans at every level should have condemned not only Mr. Trump’s apparent incitement to violence but also a racist swipe against Elaine Chao, Mr. McConnell’s wife, which the former president added to his poisonous statement. Instead, apologists such as Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) made excuses about what he really meant to say. Make no mistake: Mr. Trump’s message came across loud and clear.
wapo.st/3SCicyZ
Opinion Mounting intimidation against members of Congress threatens us all
“I wouldn’t be surprised if a senator or House member were killed.” That was the chilling comment from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) about escalating threats of violence and other intimidating acts against members of Congress. We would like to think the senator was being hyperbolic, but it’s hard to look at the surge in violent threats and confrontations and not fear the worst. The nation’s lawmakers should be safe. A good starting point would be for Republican leaders to unequivocally denounce those in their party who have helped create this increasingly dangerous reality.
The threats — and the feeling of danger some members of Congress still feel after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters — has changed the way some lawmakers approach their job. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) told the Hill that he took the congressional license tags off his car because he didn’t want to be identified publicly and become the target of an attack. There are other insidious effects: creating more distance between elected representatives and those they serve, discouraging some people from entering public service, encouraging those who see politics as blood sport and use violent rhetoric to mobilize their base.
Which, of course, leads back to Mr. Trump and his latest, reckless attack on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) “He has a DEATH WISH,” Mr. Trump wrote on his social media website, Truth Social, attacking Mr. McConnell for failing to oppose Democrats with enough intensity. Republicans at every level should have condemned not only Mr. Trump’s apparent incitement to violence but also a racist swipe against Elaine Chao, Mr. McConnell’s wife, which the former president added to his poisonous statement. Instead, apologists such as Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) made excuses about what he really meant to say. Make no mistake: Mr. Trump’s message came across loud and clear.