Trump Denies Threatening Democrats While Threatening Democrats
President Donald Trump attempted to clarify that he was “not threatening death” against Democratic lawmakers who criticized his call for military members to defy unlawful orders during a recent interview. This came after Trump faced bipartisan backlash for his incendiary social media remarks, which included accusations of “seditious behavior” that he claimed could be punishable by death.
Six Democratic lawmakers, including military veterans, condemned Trump’s statements, labeling them as dangerous threats that escalate the ongoing climate of political violence in the U.S. In a video spearheaded by Senate Democrat Elissa Slotkin, these lawmakers urged service members to obey lawful orders and uphold their constitutional oath, highlighting the gravity of Trump’s rhetoric.
In response to the uproar, Trump reiterated in a Fox News radio interview that while he was not specifically threatening violence, he deemed the lawmakers “in serious trouble” and referred to their actions as traitorous. His remarks followed a series of Truth Social posts where he demanded aggressive consequences for the lawmakers’ perceived disloyalty.
The political fallout has been widespread, with various leaders, including Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, disputing Trump’s choice of words while attempting to defend him. Despite the attempts to downplay Trump’s rhetoric, the top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, asserted that the former president has uniquely encouraged political violence.
The rise in politically motivated violence has become a growing concern, with a Pew Research study indicating that 85% of Americans believe such violence is increasing. The public officials’ safety has been called into question following Trump’s provocations, as multiple reports indicate a spike in threats against politicians, underlining the fragility of political discourse in the current climate.