The Face of Trump

Since yesterday, the press has been reporting on the Donald Trump assassination attempt. They have written about the vulnerability of the security protocols designed to protect the Republican candidate and on the fact that no one cleared the area prior to the event. They have also noted the fact that the shooter comfortably climbed to a platform overlooking Trump’s stage without being detected.

America invented the art of personal protection and has manufactured armored cars and guns. America has opened its academies to all who want to join as security personnel for individuals and has manufactured security vests and piercing bullets and tracking devices. All this, and luck alone saved Trump, not his personal security detail.

And we in Jordan had the assassination of President Hazza’ al-Majali in his booby-trapped office. And after that, Wasfi al-Tal was assassinated in Cairo. Before them, the founding king, God bless him, was assassinated on the doorstep of Al-Aqsa mosque. Let’s not forget the prime minister of the united government, Ibrahim Hashem, who was assassinated in Iraq. Jordan is a country which exists in a vortex: In the north there is a raging civil war; in the east there is a festering militia movement facing the usurping entity that practices assassinations every day. Even with all these historical events, there are now no concerns in Jordan regarding assassination or targeting of individuals.

In Trump’s case yesterday, I realize that American society has been torn apart insofar as a major security breach occurred, and the entire security apparatus failed to prevent a boy from killing the former president, with only luck intervening to protect Trump.

We ought to read our country’s history from this angle. All our officials, whether civil, military or security, are able to take their cars to any place without safety concerns or fear. We can look toward the royal private guard with a view of love rather than a view of safety. In my life, I have not seen an officer in these institutions prevent our citizens from reaching the king or greeting the princes. I remember when we were traveing to various provinces with the king, and the royal private guard was not concerned that the king was in danger but rather were worried about people shoving each other to greet and hug the king.

In Jordan, there are no concerns regarding safety and personal protection, because people protect the king first. Additionally, the social contract between leadership and the people is built on the principles of tolerance and love.

One day in the Jordan Valley, I remember the king was touring among the people and as he left a house, a child called to him from behind the house wall. The king and everyone with him went around the wall and greeted the child. During this, I did not see one safety concern or any officer prevent the king from approaching the child.

The Jordanian economy can’t compare to that of the United States, nor can our military force or political sway. Even our geography is small. But the Jordanian political system is capable of succeeding at what matters with regard to power and money: It is able to foster love among people. It is able to rule through love.

The blood that was spilled yesterday on Trump’s face wasn’t just on the president’s face. It was on the bloody face of America. It was a picture of America and the vulnerability of its power. A new shame on America’s democracy.