TO THE EDITOR:
In 1981, many were disappointed President Reagan was wounded, not assassinated. Those words were heard again last Saturday when President Trump was shot, including from agents of the FBI. National division grew deeper as finger pointing began immediately. The suspected assailant was neutralized almost immediately by a reduced protection detail. Lone wolf? Security failure? Motives? Influenced by harsh rhetoric? On July 8, Joe Biden said “We’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bull’s-eye.” Literal or figurative speech? Following the July 2 SCOTUS decision on presidential immunity, Nancy Pelosi told Mitchell of MSNBC “[Trump] must be stopped. He cannot be president!” From the entertainment world came headlines like “Don’t Miss Trump Next Time,” “Blow Him Up,” “Biden Has to Use Deadly Force.” Representative Thompson, chair of the Jan 6 committee, introduced legislation in April 2024 to remove secret service details from Trump. On July 13, Thompson’s staffer wrote “...please get some shooting lessons so you don’t miss next time...” Trump’s campaign requested a larger secret service detail, but those requests, reportedly, have been denied by USSS Director Cheatle and DHS Secretary Mayorkas. On July 13, Trump’s detail was primarily supplemental special agents and local law enforcement, not the regular team of agents. Where was the helicopter? the drones? Joe Biden wants to “lower the temperature.” Was he referring to the headlines from some media outlets? “Secret Service Rushes Trump Offstage After Popping Noises...” (NBC), “Trump falls to ground during rally...” (CNN). Constitutional republic? Banana republic?
Dr. Phyllis E. VanBuren
Clearwater, MN
