A striking aspect of Donald Trump’s rise to power is his transparency regarding his intentions to exploit it. He openly aims to manipulate the justice system, misuse presidential authority, and undermine the principles of a civilized society.
Equally astonishing is the fact that he was elected to the highest office in the nation despite these intentions. This reality raises concerns about a potential increase in political violence. Since his entry into politics nearly a decade ago, Trump has fostered an environment that allows for political retribution, with troubling consequences.
Political violence looms as Trump openly defies the principles of democracy
In a December 8 interview, Trump indicated his intention to pardon those convicted of participating in the January 2021 Capitol riots. He also asserted that six members of Congress and special prosecutor Jack Smith should be imprisoned for probing his role in inciting the effort to overturn the election results.
Trump’s desire to release lawbreakers while punishing law enforcement raises another noteworthy contradiction: his repeated claims, both as president and as a candidate, of being a “law and order president.”
During a 2016 speech, he proclaimed, “We must maintain law and order at the highest level, or we will cease to have a country, 100 percent,” while expressing support for police officers. This was before he faced convictions for 34 felonies and numerous other indictments, from which he utilized legal strategies and his reelection to evade trial or consequences.
Returning to the initial point, NPR highlighted that “During the 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump made more than 100 threats to investigate, prosecute, imprison or otherwise punish his perceived enemies, including political opponents and private citizens.”
From a legal perspective, these threats lack substance, as there is no evidence suggesting that those on his enemies list have committed crimes. However, investigations conducted by a politicized FBI and Justice Department could cast a long shadow over their lives. Additionally, Trump can defame and slander those he views as adversaries with minimal risk of repercussions.
Political scientists and historians will undoubtedly analyze Trump’s impact on societal attitudes toward violence, and the circumstantial evidence paints a troubling picture. A July 2022 study revealed that half of Americans believed a civil war could occur in the near future.
Among respondents, one in five justified the use of political violence, while 12 percent were open to threatening or intimidating others for political reasons. Additionally, one in ten would consider injuring someone, 7 percent would resort to lethal violence over political disagreements, and 4 percent thought it “somewhat likely” they might shoot someone. Though 4 percent may seem low, it becomes important in a group of 100 people.
The authors of the study concluded that “Coupled with prior research, these findings suggest a continuing alienation from and mistrust of American democratic society and its institutions. Substantial minorities of the population endorse violence, including lethal violence, to obtain political objectives.”
In 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported a record high of 1,020 hate groups in the United States, coinciding with Trump’s presidency and his encouragement of white resentment toward immigration and shifting demographics. This marked the fourth consecutive year of growth in such groups.
Trump promises his unique brand of political violence
Last year, the same organization identified 79 extremist groups alongside 1,430 hate and antigovernment groups within the U.S. The New Tolerance Campaign, which positions itself as a watchdog against intolerance, identified 233 organizations it categorized as left-wing extremists.
The Anti-Defamation League noted that “in the leadup to and aftermath of January 6, more and more elected officials glorified and even encouraged violence against their political opponents. Paired with the increasing use of dehumanizing language targeting people on the other side of the aisle, politicians continue to create a sense of urgency that has contributed to surging threats and acts of political violence across the nation.”
Presently, a particular portion of the American populace seemingly idolizes a cold-blooded killer who assassinated the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, with a Facebook post commemorating the event quickly receiving over 77,000 laughing emojis.
When Trump was the target of an assassination attempt last July, he realized that the unlawful behavior he incites can also be directed against him. Instead of condemning political violence following the incident, his campaign turned his bloodied visage into a campaign meme. The parent company of Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform, saw its stock soar by 32 percent.
Following a thwarted second assassination plot, Bloomberg reported that “By portraying Trump as a fighter and survivor, his campaign hopes to capture Americans’ fractured attention and lay the blame for yet another assassination attempt on (Vice President Kamala) Harris and Democrats.”
Nevertheless, after meticulously documenting Trump’s violent rhetoric since 2015, The Bulwark concluded, “No American public figure has done more to normalize political violence.”
With the federal government’s powers once again at his disposal and newly appointed officials ready to wield them, Trump promises his unique brand of political violence — the misuse of government authority to harass and threaten those he perceives as enemies. Backed by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity and the allegiance of armed militant groups, he seems to believe that no individual or institution will dare challenge him.
He appears ready to operate under the belief that the United States government is meant to serve his interests and grievances rather than upholding the Constitution’s commitment to justice and domestic peace. Trump makes his intentions unmistakably clear.
