Letter to the editor: Trump fans the flames

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 05.07.26

After yet another act of political violence, Democratic leaders lowered the temperature. Trump turned up the heat.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said, “violence is never the answer.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said, “I denounce political violence in all its forms.” President Trump accused Democrats of “hate speech” which he called “very dangerous.”

But prominent Republicans accused Trump himself of being dangerous. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who called Joe Biden “as good a man as God ever created,” described Trump as the polar opposite. Graham called Trump “a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” and urged voters: “Tell Donald Trump to go to hell!”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) seconded Graham. When Trump falsely linked Cruz’s father to JFK’s assassination, Cruz called Trump “a pathological liar,” “utterly amoral” and “a narcissist at a level I don’t think this country’s ever seen.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio blasted Trump for telling supporters he would “pay their legal fees” if they “beat up people in the crowd” who opposed him.

Trump planted seeds that bore poisonous fruit. ABC News identified 54 criminal cases where Trump’s words led to threats, assaults or violence. One example: Cesar Sayoc was sentenced to 20 years for mailing 16 pipe bombs to prominent Democrats, including Biden, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Trump incited an armed, violent mob to attack and desecrate the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Over 140 law enforcement officers were injured and several died — Trump pardoned their attackers.

Seven Republican senators, including NC’s Richard Burr, voted to convict Trump and remove him from office. Pat Toomey (R-PA) said, “We saw bloodshed because a demagogue chose to spread falsehoods and sow distrust of his own fellow Americans.” Liz Cheney (R-WY) said Trump “summoned the mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack.”

Americans want presidents to unite them. America deserves a president who puts out fires, not one who lights them and fans the flames.

Larry Widman

Leland