Donald Trump continues to embrace violent rhetoric about his political rivals – whom he considers enemies. His remarks Thursday that former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, his biggest critic within the party, should have rifles “shooting him” to see how he feels about sending troops to fight. That statement has provoked angry reactions from Republicans, who have even talked about Trump wanting to send her to a firing squad. The context of the phrase was not a big deal, but it has also sparked an avalanche of criticism, including from the White House and from the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, who believes that someone who utters messages like that should be disqualified from being president.
Trump referred to Liz Cheney at an event with controversial host Tucker Carlson on Thursday in Arizona. He was trying to disqualify her and her father, Dick Cheney, who was George W. Bush’s vice president, for what he considered their warmongering attitude. The former president said that the Republican is “a disturbed person.” “The reason she can’t stand me is because she always wants to go to war. “If it were up to her, we would be in 50 different countries,” he said. Liz Cheney broke with Trump following the assault on the Capitol and was part of the House of Representatives investigative committee into that attack on democracy
“He is a radical war hawk,” Trump continued without biting his tongue. “Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels firing at her. Let’s see how he feels when guns are pointed in his face. You know, they’re all war hawks when they’re sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, oh, gee, come on, we’re going to send 10,000 troops right into the enemy’s mouth,” the Republican said.
This Friday he insisted in his message: “All I say about Liz Cheney is that she is a war hawk, and a fool, but she wouldn’t have ‘the guts’ to fight herself,” Trump wrote on his network, Truth Social. “It’s easy for her to talk, sitting far from where the death scenes take place, but put a gun in her hand and let her go fight, and she’ll say, ‘No, thank you!'” he added, before referring to his father. , Dick Cheney: “Your father decimated the Middle East, and other places, and got rich doing it. He’s caused a lot of deaths, and he probably didn’t even think about it. Both Liz Cheney and her father support Kamala Harris in next Tuesday’s elections.
It was this violent rhetoric that sparked a wave of reactions. Trump has been referring to his political rivals as “the enemy within.” He has even talked about using the military against them, within a set of authoritarian messages that have dominated his campaign.
“Firing squad”
Among the first to respond was Liz Cheney herself. “This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten to kill those who speak against them. “We cannot trust our country and our freedom to a mean, vindictive, cruel and unstable man who wants to be a tyrant,” he tweeted.
Harris campaign spokesman Ian Sams went further and said that Trump was “talking about sending a prominent Republican to the firing squad,” although that is not what is inferred from his words.
Later, it was Harris herself who made a statement to the press upon arriving in Madison (Wisconsin) for a campaign stop. “His list of enemies has gotten longer. His rhetoric has become more extreme. And it is even less focused than before on the needs and concerns and challenges facing the American people,” he said.
“Trump has increased his violent rhetoric about political opponents, and in great detail, he suggested there should be rifles trained on former Rep. Liz Cheney. This must be disqualifying. “Anyone who wants to be president of the United States, who uses that type of violent rhetoric, is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president,” the Democrat said. “I haven’t spoken to her since this comment was made, but I will tell you that I know Liz Cheney well enough to know that she is tough, that she is incredibly brave, and that she has proven herself to be a true patriot during a very difficult time for our country.” ”he added.
“There is a real contrast in this race. When you look at who defends democracy and democratic principles and who doesn’t,” insisted Harris, who tries to present herself as a unifier. “Donald Trump talks about a list of enemies. He talks about using the US military to attack US citizens. He speaks in a way that suggests there should be retaliation and harsh consequences just because people disagree with him. My point of view is very clear. I believe in our democracy. Democracies are complicated in a wonderful way, because we like debate, we accept and welcome differences of opinion, and we resolve them,” he concluded.
