Political violence serves only to escalate danger for all Americans

Political violence is always wrong. It undermines the very foundation of democracy, which relies on peaceful discourse, compromise, free elections and the rule of law to resolve disagreements.

Regardless of one’s political views, the threat of violence against any public official is unacceptable. The recent assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump are no exception.

While we have long opposed Trump’s clear ambitions to undermine democracy and ignore the rule of law, threatening the assassination of a political candidate or other forms of political violence is utterly unacceptable. We must reinforce the democratic norms and peaceful transition of power that have long supported our great nation by defeating Trump at the ballot box.

To achieve this goal, we must demand stronger security measures and more responsible rhetoric from political leaders.

In the latest incident, Secret Service agents detected a gunman armed with a scoped semiautomatic rifle hiding in the bushes near the golf club where Trump was playing. The gunman, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was reportedly 400 yards away from the former president when his rifle was spotted in the bushes. Fortunately, the agents intervened before the situation could escalate, Trump was never within the gunman’s sightline and Routh never fired his weapon. However, the close call reinforces the stakes in improving operational preparedness of the Secret Service.

Routh is a convicted felon with a long history of criminal activity. His social media activity suggests that he once supported Trump but became disillusioned in recent years. Regardless of his motivations, Routh’s actions are inexcusable, and underscore the need for a comprehensive review of security protocols.

The Secret Service, tasked with protecting former presidents and other high-profile officials, must be given the resources it needs to handle the growing threats it faces. With over 40 individuals under its protection during this election season, the demands on the agency are greater than ever. The two assassination attempts on Trump in recent months have exposed vulnerabilities in the current system, and the agency’s existing protocols may not be sufficient to address the escalating threat landscape. President Joe Biden has acknowledged the need for more support, and Congress must act swiftly to ensure that the Secret Service is equipped to do its job effectively.

Following this weekend’s incident, acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe told reporters that a “paradigm shift” is needed in the agency’s approach, moving from a reactive model to a readiness-focused one. Rowe’s acknowledgment of the need for change is an important step forward.

In addition to bolstering the Secret Service’s resources, transparency and cooperation are critical. The bipartisan panel of U.S. House lawmakers investigating the first assassination attempt on Trump must be given full access to the information they need to conduct a thorough inquiry. Public trust in our institutions is fragile, and without clear, timely answers, speculation and conspiracy theories will fill the void. It is in the interest of both the Secret Service and the political establishment to be responsive to legitimate inquiries. Transparency is a key factor in maintaining the public’s confidence in all aspects of governance, including the protective measures surrounding our leaders.

Political leaders also bear a significant responsibility in creating a climate that discourages violence. Anger over this most recent assassination attempt cannot be allowed to fuel further violence. Trump’s own rhetoric, in which he has praised extremists, Christian nationalists and members of radical paramilitary organizations, has heightened tensions in recent years. Such statements can exacerbate an already volatile situation and increase the risk of further violence.

Ever since Trump arrived on our political landscape, his overheated rhetoric has exposed anyone he dislikes to death threats, many credible. He has never accepted responsibility for his role in these nor has he told his gun-toting followers to step down. Instead, he praises their “passion.”

Trump must recognize that, as a leader, his words carry weight. If he believes that rhetoric from his political opponents contributed to the attempts on his life, then he must also acknowledge that his own rhetoric could inspire similar acts of violence. In a moment of such heightened political tension, Trump should use his platform to call for calm, not to stoke the flames of resentment and hostility.

At this very moment, death threats, bomb threats, acts of individual violence and vandalism are being visiting upon the city of Springfield, Ohio, and its residents, Haitian or otherwise. The inspiration for the threats came directly from Trump and his running mate JD Vance’s outright lies about the Haitian immigrants in Springfield. Trump has authored political violence directly in this case and others, such as the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Anyone who criticizes Trump publicly knows they are inviting death threats from his followers. Trump has not raised a pinky to stop it.

The responsibility for promoting peace and discouraging violence extends beyond Trump to all political leaders. The political climate in the United States has become increasingly polarized, with rhetoric on both sides of the aisle growing more heated and inflammatory. But we must remember that disagreement is a natural part of democracy. We do not solve our differences with violence, but through voting, dialogue and debate. Politicians and their surrogates, regardless of party affiliation, must be vigilant about the tone of their rhetoric and its potential consequences.

We can disagree passionately, but those disagreements should never escalate to violence. Leaders on all sides must commit to fostering a political environment where violence is unequivocally condemned and where disagreements are resolved peacefully.

Ultimately, the solution lies in a multi-pronged approach. The Secret Service must be given the tools it needs to protect a growing number of officials and their families, political leaders must temper their rhetoric, they must always remind their followers not to commit violence and transparency must be prioritized to maintain public trust. Political violence is a threat to democracy itself, and we must unite in rejecting it in all forms. Only then can we credibly reject Trump’s anti-democratic extremism at the ballot box.