Of the many public servants who have been killed, attacked or threatened over the past decade, almost all have been Democrats. There is a clear reason for this imbalance.
Donald Trump, feeling aggrieved and disrespected, has repeatedly criticized his political opponents and has suggested to his MAGA base that his enemies need to be "removed from office." Combined with his violent rhetoric on other matters, this encourages zealous or unstable believers to act on his behalf. The recent murders of a Minnesota Senator and her husband were especially egregious but the hints of fostering violent confrontations continue. The Speaker of the House recently suggested that a California Senator should be tarred and feathered for trying to ask questions at a news conference. Trump himself has indicated that he might consider pardoning those who attempted to kidnap Governor Whitmer of Michigan.
Meanwhile, Republican Senators and Congresspersons offer little, if any, vocal resistance; they only speak up to condemn acts of violence when they occur. Unfortunately, I believe Trump's downfall will come only after his rhetoric is directly linked to the killing of a judge or prominent political figure. That individual's death will be on those who have long condoned Trump's behavior.
