Act of Political Violence Marks Turning Point in US Presidential Race

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump comes in a climate of extreme polarization that undermines the foundations of democracy.

The attempted assassination of Donald Trump, in addition to being an act of violence that aggravates a climate of extreme polarization in the United States, marks a turning point in the November presidential race. No president or former president has been shot since 1981, when Ronald Reagan was hit several times. The event on Saturday, which is being investigated as an attempted assassination, slightly injured Trump’s right ear during a rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. His life is not in danger, none of his vital organs were damaged and he was quickly evacuated. However, the shocking images in which the former president can be seen falling to the ground after the attacker opened fire and then, with a bloodied face, raising his fist as a sign of resistance, will strengthen his candidacy.

The failed attack, which we cannot consider to be an isolated event given past political violence in the U.S., resulted from a serious security failure by the Secret Service, which serves Trump in his capacity as former president. Congress has already initiated proceedings to determine responsibility, while the FBI identified the perpetrator of the shooting as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man who was carrying an AR-15 rifle, and was a registered Republican voter.

Apart from the issues of security, we have witnessed an act of violence with unpredictable political fallout. First, because it comes on the eve of Trump’s official nomination as the Republican Party’s candidate for the White House. First, at the Republican National Convention, Trump will name the vice-presidential candidate who will accompany him on the ticket. Second, because the image of Trump as survivor of a thwarted assassination will double the support of his enthusiastic followers.

All this, while Joe Biden faces questions for his CNN debate fiasco, during which he was the image of senility. Trump won’t hesitate to exploit to his advantage the ongoing internal debate that is undermining Biden, as Biden demonstrates how weak he is.

Leaders of the international community, including Biden, unanimously condemned the shooting. Nevertheless, both Trump’s family and hard-core Republicans hold the Democratic leader and “the radical left” responsible for what happened.

The attempt on Trump’s life follows an attack in May on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, as well as a series of physical attacks on political leaders in several European countries, including Germany. In addition to plunging the U.S. election campaign into chaos, this episode leaves a disturbing sense of uncertainty and unease that impacts not only this country, but also global geopolitics.

Fueling hatred of one’s opponent will lead to the end of democracy, whose deliberative nature is radically incompatible with any form of violence.