Both presidential candidates are routinely described by the other party as being a threat to the existence of democracy. Why are we surprised that someone took it upon themselves to try and remove one of them? It is time for the political temperature in the USA to be turned down.
The level of hatred and division on both sides of the political divide is way too high at the moment. The attempt on Trump’s life has demonstrated just how febrile the situation is.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump raises his fist as he is rushed off stage after an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. @apnews pic.twitter.com/VoAYqRC4QV
— Evan Vucci (@evanvucci) July 14, 2024
Some of the reaction to Trump’s surviving this attack is very concerning. Many have forgotten that someone was killed, two were critically injured, that Secret Service Agents immediately surrounded Trump willing to take a second bullet for him. We shouldn’t rush to conclusions or give credence to the conspiracy theories that both right and left are passing round online.
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Whilst few have been stupid enough to say it publicly, unfortunately there will be many who will secretly be regretting that Trump wasn’t killed. He has been referred to as literally Hitler, and so why should it be a surprise that a lone gunman took it upon themselves to try and kill him? As Dylan Houseman put it,
“Of Course Trump Got Shot — It Just Took One Nutjob Taking Democrats Seriously” MSN
But King David’s response to King Saul’s death shows us that even if we were to accept the notion that Trump, or for that matter Biden, was indeed a dangerous threat to democracy, no Christian should want either of them to die at the hand of a gunman. They are both humans made in the image of God. We should not rejoice if harm were to come to either of them.
The whole point of having a democracy is that instead of killing leaders who we do not like, we can vote them out of office. And what is more, we should graciously accept the results of elections rather than challenging them angrily. If we loudly say that we do not trust the political system, we should not be surprised if some people will be tempted to instead resort to violence.
President Reagan reacted to being shot in a remarkable way and wrote in his diary that night:
“Getting shot hurts. Still my fear was growing because no matter how hard I tried to breathe it seemed I was getting less & less air. I focused on that tiled ceiling and prayed. But I realized I couldn’t ask for Gods help while at the same time I felt hatred for the mixed up young man who had shot me. Isn’t that the meaning of the lost sheep? We are all Gods children & therefore equally beloved by him. I began to pray for his soul and that he would find his way back to the fold.”
I wrote about a week ago about how pleased I was that here in the UK both Sunak and Starmer graciously honoured each other after our election, and there was a genuinely peaceful transition of power. I urge both American presidential candidates and all sensible Americans to follow the example of UK leaders. Advocate clearly for peace between now and the election, and agree that the result will be honoured either way.
It is time for both American presidents to show servant leadership and calm the situation down not stir it up more.
Unfortunately, I fear that may not happen. So for example, Elon Musk has tweeted about the assassination attempt “Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate. Either way, the SS leadership must resign.” Many others have been more blunt claiming that this was a political act sponsored by the Democrats. There is no evidence to suggest that this is an orchestrated attempt to kill Trump. A rapid investigation will occur, but as is usually the case it is surely far more likely that the shooter was missed rather than that any great conspiracy was afoot.
Trump’s initial instinct after the immediate threat appeared to be over was to stand up and poke his head out above the shield of brave Secret Service Agents who were protecting him, raise his fist and shout “fight, fight, fight!”
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump raises his fist as he is rushed off stage after an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. @apnews pic.twitter.com/VoAYqRC4QV
— Evan Vucci (@evanvucci) July 14, 2024
This image of a bloodied yet defiant presidential candidate will play well to many Americans. The early signs are that the MAGA republicans are hailing Trump as the unstoppable ultimate fighter who even a bullet couldn’t harm. They are hailing divine intervention protected Trump as some kind of messianic martyr figure. Such language is very worrisome and could stir things up more.
This strong man image coupled with Trump’s language in his first statement after his recovery may be taken by some as an urge to return violence for violence. In fact he actually says the opposite. calling for Americans should stand united and show their true colours. The danger is that some republicans might see his language about “not allowing evil to win” as referring to the Democrats as a whole rather than as directed at the gunman,
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) July 14, 2024
Biden has also tweeted condemning the attack:
I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.
But much more is needed. A joint press appearance by both men would be very helpful now, with them declaring that violence has no place in American politics and that they both regret provocative statements that they have made about each other.
In the UK we have had experience of political violence prompted by extreme rhetoric. Jo Cox, a Member of Parliament, was murdered a few years back during an election campaign in direct response to unhelpful language being used by politicians who did not want her dead.
Over here it is now widely recognised that inflammatory and overly hostile political language used by both sides routinely in many elections can give encouragement to extremists to act. Isolated individuals may take it upon themselves to commit acts of violence, thinking that they will have the approval of “their side” for their actions, even if that was not true.
Brendan Cox, the husband of the UK’s most recent political assassinated politician speaks about what happened to Trump in this context:
“In the context of of Donald Trump let’s be 100% clear that the attack on him was outrageous completely unacceptable and there is zero justification for it but let’s also be very clear that he has consistently incited and inflamed political violence himself whether that’s the January attacks on the capital or his wider demeanor towards protesters in the audience he has sullied our politics so yes I feel sympathy, I feel pain for the fear that his family must have felt at that moment, and I feel real fear for the American political system. That attack was clearly and utterly wrong but he also has some culpability in creating an environment where violence is more likely.” LBC Interview
But of course republicans can point to dangerous and inflammatory language used by the other side too. I remember reading articles and tweets suggesting that as the Supreme Court had declared that presidents have immunity for any official acts they could get away with ordering an assassination of their political rival. This was very irresponsible language, since some individuals might take it as a “nod” that if they act to commit violence alone then others will be pleased at what they do.
But it gets worse. Politico reported that days before the attempt on Trump’s life Biden said,
“I have one job, and that’s to beat Donald Trump. I’m absolutely certain I’m the best person to be able to do that. So, we’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye”
This is very unfortunate language, as are other comments about how “Trump must be stopped”. But it it is also very dangerous to claim that this careless language means Biden was explicitly calling for Trump to be killed. I am sure that a political assassination if it had been ordered would have been successful. But it is a sign of just how low things have got that some republicans do genuinely believe that Biden organised a hit on Trump himself, and somehow involved the Secret Service in his evil plan.
We need calm on both sides. We need de-escalation on both sides. We need love for enemies to prevail not yet more violent language.
This election will remain very important. The choice between the parties is stark and clear. But Americans risk provoking serious unrest or even civil war if calmer heads are not immediately engaged.
John Piper has tweeted in the aftermath of this attack:
“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15 For great is your reward in heaven.
A couple of years back I wrote about Jesus command to us on how to treat our enemies:
It is easy to pray for your friends, and for your family. But what about your enemies? And I don’t mean praying down God’s righteous judgement on them! Jesus urges us clearly:
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44)
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Servant Leadership in Politics and the Church: Pastoral Care
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