Gun violence is a feature not a bug
Someone fired shots from a nearby rooftop at a presidential candidate last night in Pennsylvania, killing one spectator and leaving two critically injured. A Secret Service sniper killed the shooter. He was not carrying ID, but has been identified. The candidate walked away with a nicked ear, though it’s not clear if from a bullet or from a glass shard blown off a teleprompter. The assassination attempt failed:
The gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was identified by the F.B.I. as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pa., but officials released no additional information about him.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” the F.B.I. said in a statement early Sunday.
The gunman did not have a criminal history reflected in Pennsylvania’s public court records, and officials said they had not identified a motive. A voter-registration record showed that Mr. Crooks was registered as a Republican, though federal campaign-finance records show he donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project, a liberal voter turnout group, through the Democratic donation platform ActBlue in January 2021.
President Biden condemned the violence in a brief statement:
Addressing the nation about two hours after the shooting, Biden said he was relieved that Trump is reportedly “doing well.” He said he had been unable to reach Trump before his remarks, but the White House said he did speak to Trump several hours later.
“We cannot allow this to be happening,” Biden said. “The idea that there’s violence in America like this is just unheard of.”
Biden, speaking without a teleprompter, said he was waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an attempted assassination on the former president.
“I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts,” he told reporters, pledging to provide updates as he learns more.
The attempt on Trump’s life represents a significant security failure.
Two dead (including the suspect), two seriously wounded, and a presidential candidate injured. Except for the occupation of last victim, just another Saturday night in the U.S. in 2024. This political season will get worse from here.
Here’s what I know. With a well-fed conspiracy culture entrenched with Trump’s help, one of my first reactions was was it staged? (They’ve got me doing it!) Whatever information comes out about the shooter, it will be spun on the right as “fake news” or some Deep State conspiracy. (Former Trump 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale floated the “deep state conspiracy” theory within about 90 minutes.) The former WWF showman got some iconic images of himself with fist raised as he was led away. They are sure to show up in posters and tee shirts within hours. (See above.)
The atmosphere of fear, distrust, and political hatred is sure to worsen from here, not give America pause for reflection. If Project 2025 was meant to be the vehicle for Trump’s revenge and retribution, now add angry justification to the recipe. You know he will.
To borrow an old line from a friend, all in all, I wish it hadn’t happened.
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