There are moments in history that define time periods, moments when we will never forget what we were doing. The 2020s have been full of these moments, but July 13, 2024, will go down as one of the largest moments.
An assassination attempt was made on Former President Donald J. Trump during a campaign rally last Saturday.
Regardless of political affiliations or personal opinions about Trump, such actions are abhorrent and an affront to the principles of our Democratic Republic. The use of violence to make one's voice heard is not only morally wrong but legally reprehensible. This holds true whether it’s the January 6 riot or this recent incident.
The facts are disheartening: a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man, Thomas Matthew Crooks, attempted to assassinate Trump, leaving one rallygoer dead and two others wounded.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have warned about potential follow-on or retaliatory acts of violence in response to this assassination attempt, highlighting the ongoing threat of domestic violent extremism. Outside of domestic extremism, on July 16 the FBI announced that they disrupted an Iranian-led plan to assassinate Trump, likely in retaliation of Trump’s assassination of Iranian general Qasem Solemani in 2020.
The investigation into Crooks’ motives continues, with authorities scrutinizing his electronic devices and searching his home and vehicle, where improvised explosive devices were found.
This incident underscores a critical point: political violence is never justified. It’s a threat to the very fabric of our Free society, where disagreements are meant to be settled at the ballot box, not through acts of terror. The attack on Trump, like any act of political violence, should be unequivocally condemned.
While I am grateful that a former president was not assassinated, this incident does not alter my stance on Trump’s policies. I have never voted for Donald Trump, and the events of the last few days will not change my opinions. I strongly believe Trump’s potential return to office poses a significant threat to the future of our Democratic Republic, and his policies, particularly those encapsulated in the far-right Project 2025, are deeply concerning.
The Perils of Project 2025
Project 2025 is the conservative movement’s detailed plan for a second Trump term, orchestrated by a republic supporting private corporation, the Heritage Foundation, and supported by over 100 conservative groups. This 922-page document outlines a comprehensive agenda to concentrate power in the presidency, achieve longstanding conservative priorities, and enforce a hardline religious- right agenda that has the potential to trample over already established rights like abortion (at least in state’s who have agreed to enshrine this right by a woman to her own body in their lawbooks), LGBT marriage, and other progressive social changes made this century.
Concentrating Power in the Presidency
One of the core goals of Project 2025 is to reclassify tens of thousands of civil servants as political appointees, making them subject to dismissal and replacement by Trump loyalists. This 'Schedule F' plan aims to dismantle the so-called “deep state,” but will ultimately undermine the nonpartisan civil service and concentrate power in the hands of the president and his appointees. This shift could lead to significant abuses of power and politicization of federal agencies, fundamentally altering the nature of American governance.
Longstanding Conservative Priorities
The project also aims to slash regulations, reduce federal spending on social programs, and roll back efforts to combat climate change. Proposals include eliminating the Department of Education, cutting funding to low-income schools, and deprioritizing environmental protections. These changes threaten to deepen inequalities and exacerbate environmental degradation, rolling back progress made in these crucial areas.
Hardline Religious Right Agenda
Perhaps most concerning are the proposals reflecting a hardline religious- right agenda. Project 2025 advocates for revoking FDA approval of abortion pills, using federal power to prevent abortions, and even outlawing pornography. These measures represent a significant encroachment on personal freedoms and bodily autonomy, pushing a deeply conservative social agenda.
The Electoral Process
As we reflect on the recent assassination attempt, it is crucial we recognize that our fight against policies we disagree with must remain within the bounds of the electoral processes.
Violence has no place in our political discourse. The coming election is a pivotal moment for our nation. It is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to democratic principles and to oppose policies that threaten our Freedoms.
Donald Trump remains a present threat to the future of freedom in the United States. His potential second term, guided by Project 2025, has the power to fundamentally reshape our country in ways that could undermine democracy and erode civil liberties. As citizens, we must stay vigilant and engage in the political process to ensure that our voices are heard and our values upheld, but it must remain civil and peaceful.
In the end, it is not through violence but through steadfast commitment to democratic principles and active participation in the electoral process that we can safeguard our nation's future.
We must all work to maintain and keep our Freedoms, ensuring that the United States remains a beacon of democracy and liberty for generations to come.