Shooting was wrong, but unlike Trump, Biden has never called for retribution or bloodbaths
Editor's note: Readers have started to respond to this letter to the editor. Find verified responses below.
In the aftermath of the Saturday night shooting at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania, we have had calls for everyone to tone down the rhetoric. It’s about time.
But once again, we are hearing a false equivalency. President Joe Biden has never called for violence or retribution against his enemies. He has not said there will be a "bloodbath" if he loses the election. He has not called insurrectionists “patriots” and promised to pardon convicted criminals with blood on their hands.
Yes, President Biden has warned that our democracy is threatened by the prospect of a second Trump presidency. In doing so, he has reported what Trump himself has proudly announced.
Like Trump in 2024, President Andrew Jackson faced an attempt on his life
Our president has a right to shine a light on those plans. That is not the same as the ugly rhetoric, name calling, and hate-spewing that started eight years ago and has forever changed our political discourse.
Democrats have taken down their ads, not wanting to politicize a shooting that everyone knows was wrong. TV networks are being, oh so careful, to frame Trump as a normal candidate, the victim of a shooting.
Will Democrat guests be allowed to speak honestly about the danger at stake in this election? Does anyone believe that the Republican Convention speakers, especially Trump, will pull back on Biden attacks?
It is fair to say there are political fires in both parties. But one party has poured gasoline on the flames for years and has done irreparable damage to America. I doubt that is over.
Phyllis Gobbell, Nashville 37205
Rebuttals to this letter
Shame on you, you know better than Trump declaring a blood bath if he loses election. He said it would be a blood bath for the auto industry at hands of China if he lost.
You and people like you are the problem, treating readers as stupid while you share out-of-context quotes and lies. Coming on the heels of a man losing his life and the former President almost losing his, you should never write again. Have you no morals?
Jeff Houser, Knoxville 37914
Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to [email protected]. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump didn't deserve to be shot, but his political rhetoric is violent
