“An assassin’s bullet meant to kill but misses may offer the survivor an opportunity for redemption!”
John Johnson II .. 7/17/24
By John Johnson II
On Sunday, July 14, 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump, who’s also a candidate for the 2024 presidential election. Trump survived the assassin’s bullet but suffered a gunshot to his upper right ear. Following the death of the assassin, Federal and Local Authorities now must determine if the lone assassin was mentally ill, politically motivated, a domestic terrorist, or a patsy.
Despite the lack of empirical evidence that violent political rhetoric/hate speech encourages political violence, far too often, assassins have left behind political manifestos or other proof of their radicalized political beliefs. Republicans have not demonstrated a desire to lower violent rhetoric. Republican Congressperson Mike Collins raised violent rhetoric to an even higher level. He allegedly posted, “President Biden sent the orders.”
The question also is, has Trump’s association with Project 2025 and his revolting rhetoric to dismantle democratic institutions raised a level of paranoia and fear toward him? Has this fear backfired against him? Would this kind of suppressive, harsh rhetoric motivate an individual bullied during high school to want to assassinate a President?
Republican Congresspersons and pundits have credited Trump’s survival to divine intervention. This is an abdominal assertion. They’re both wrong; democracy’s defense is in the hands of Democratic and independent voters. These voters are prepared to cast ballots, which are far more lethal against a demagogue than bullets.
Additionally, the sheer preposterous idea that Trump and his fear-mongering V.P. J.D. Vance are itching to implement Project 2025 during the first 180 days of his wishful presidency has motivated voters. They intend to vote as though their lives and their children’s lives are at stake. Also, the investigators’ conclusions about Thomas Matthews Crooks’ status will have profound implications.
Will Thomas Crooks be viewed as a young man who sacrificed his life and the life of another man to try to prevent a dictator from becoming president? The outcome of this investigation could reshape our understanding of this event.
Look at it this way! Trump has defiantly and dangerously crowned himself ‘King.’ His arrogance suggests he considers the Supreme Court his ally, a notion that challenges the Court’s independence and impartiality. The Republican Party is his syndicate, and MAGA followers are a beloved cult. Voters must be careful about whom they surrender their freedoms to!
By selecting J.D. Vance as his V.P., Trump is making a statement about his values and sending a clear message to Democratic and Independent voters. He seems to be saying, ‘ I can choose as my V.P. a hatemonger, a women’s reproductive rights denier, and an individual who dared to call me a ‘Cynical asshole’ or ‘America’s Hitler,’ and not lose any voters. This choice could alienate a significant portion of the electorate, particularly those who value inclusivity and respect for all.
Remember when Trump uttered sheer lunacy about shooting someone on 5th Avenue in the streets of New York and not losing voters? At least his lunacy is consistent. This kind of rhetoric barred him from the White House in 2020. And educated, determined, and mobilized voters will block his path to the White House again in 2024.
YOU BE THE JUDGE!