Trump’s Shooting: Is Political Violence Ever Justified?

Was Donald Trump’s shooter justified? Absolutely not—political violence never is! Every liberal and conservative should agree on this.

I haven’t pulled punches in my opinion of Donald Trump. I believe he characterizes everything opposed to the love and peace of Jesus. For years, liberal and progressive writers have warned about the societal consequences of Christians climbing into bed with their “Chosen One.” For this reason, I’ve heard some suggestions that the best thing would be for the candidate to drop dead before the election. But taking action to make that happen likewise stands against everything that Jesus represents. Violence is never the answer.

Bonhoeffer and Hitler

Many Christians know Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a German theologian, executed for his part in an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Hitler. Some have even claimed that his death at the hands of a Nazi executioner was actually a martyrdom. Since World War II, Christians have debated Bonhoeffer’s actions. Some tout him as a hero, saying that he stood against evil incarnate. “Loving people like Jesus is all well and good,” they say, “but at some point, you’ve got to stand against evil.” Others with a more pacifist bent refute this notion, insisting that the way of Christ never invites a violent solution. The debate goes on—never ending with the deaths of Bonhoeffer or Hitler.

Questions About Trump’s Shooting

I suggest we move beyond examples from former generations and look instead at today’s violence. So far, we have a lot of unanswered questions. I won’t presume to address the facts of today’s events. But I will speak against political violence as a whole.

Problems with Justifying Political Violence

Certainly, people like Bonhoeffer justify political violence against those they oppose, for the sake of the greater good. Had an assassination plot against Hitler been successful, they supposed millions of lives could have been saved. But this overlooks four important problems:

1. Assassinating Hitler would have had little effect. Had Hitler died, the Nazi machine would have paused just long enough to choose a new leader. Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Goebbels, or another like Hitler would have stepped into power immediately to continue the grim work of the Third Reich.
2. Assassinating leaders creates martyrs for their cause. Nothing galvanizes people who believe they’re right more than a leader who pays the ultimate price.
3. Political violence proves the point of the opposition. When they say how bad the other side is, they just might be right, if their opposition believes in sucker-punching politicians.
4. Assassinating world leaders invites more assassination attempts. Those who believe in “an eye for an eye” are undaunted when their leaders pay the ultimate price for their leadership. Reprisals could be on the way, endangering political leaders on all sides.

Violence is Wrong—No Matter Which Side

The truth is, political violence is wrong, no matter which side you’re on. It was wrong when extremists overtook the Capital building on January 6, killing many directly and causing others to die by suicide within months. It is wrong today, as someone has decided to take their political beliefs beyond the ballot box and take up a gun. Political violence is always wrong—no matter how right you think you are.

Everybody Believes They’re Right

Here’s the thing—everybody believes they’re right. Republicans are sure they’ll make America great again. Democrats are certain they can build back better. Each party has its blind spots, and each has its merits. Even though I believe Donald Trump to be wrong in so many ways, one thing I’m sure of: I’m certain he believes he is right. As wrong as he is, Donald Trump is doing what he believes to be best for America. While I believe Republicans to be wrong in their support of Trump, many others believe Democrats are wrong. If we allow these firm beliefs to erupt into violence, we turn our rightness into absolute wrong. Violence is never the answer.

You Do Not Know What Spirit You Are Of

Luke 9:51-56 tells the story of Jesus’s disciples who called for vengeance against their enemies:

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to prepare for his arrival, but they did not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

The NRSVUE adds the note: “Other ancient authorities read rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what spirit you are of, for the Son of Man has not come to destroy the lives of humans but to save them.’”

I don’t know the religion of today’s shooter, if they had a religion at all. But my audience is Christian, so I’ll speak to that audience. Christians who believe in using violence against their enemies don’t know what spirit they are of. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, calls us to be people of peace.

Put Back Your Sword

In Matthew 26:51-53, Jesus rebukes Peter for his violence.

Suddenly one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

Jesus believed it better to die at the hands of his attackers than to take up sword against them. The King of Kings refused to defend himself, or to allow others to practice violence on his behalf. He knew that violence is never the answer, neither for religious nor for political reasons. Anyone who calls themselves a Christian should follow this example of peace.

Now is the Time to Commit to Peace

According to The Guardian, after Donald Trump was shot, he pumped his fist and said, “Fight, fight, fight!” Granted, the former President is allowed any emotional reaction that seems appropriate to him in that traumatizing moment. But I hope his followers will not take his advice. Not physically, at least. We don’t need an eye for an eye. We don’t need an ear for an ear. America must be the land of the free and the home of those brave enough to refrain from violence, even when they want to fight. Now is the time for all faithful Americans to pray for Donald Trump—for him to heal from the physical and psychological trauma of this day. Now is the time for both sides to commit to peace.