America has a long and troubling history of political violence against its leaders. Four US presidents have been assassinated while in office (Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy). FDR escaped injury in an attack that killed the Chicago mayor. Harry Truman’s residence was invaded by two gunmen which resulted in the death of one attacker and a white house police officer. Ronald Reagan was shot in an assassination attempt that grievously wounded his press secretary James Brady, which led directly to a 10 year ban on assault rifles that was never renewed. And the 1960s were horrific with the assassinations of JFK, RFK, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. In more recent times, members of Congress Gabrielle Giffords (D) and Steve Scalise (R) survived attacks. Eighteen others were shot and six were killed in the attack on Giffords. Six were shot in the Scalise attack. Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were targeted by a mob storming the Capitol, resulting in dozens injured. Former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump just survived the latest attack on an American political leader. But one victim was killed and two others were seriously wounded.
Each of these situations is unique, with attackers acting on a variety of impulses, grievances, and prejudices. When tragedies strike, Americans ask why? Why is this happening? Why is violence, political or not, so prevalent in our history and widespread in society? In our struggle for an explanation, we point to mental health and easy access to guns. It is also clear that we need to tamp down political rhetoric that can inflame passions. In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, Joe Biden forcefully called on everyone to condemn the attack, calling it “sick”. He was able to speak to Donald Trump to express his concerns. Kamala Harris expressed relief that Trump was not seriously injured and said she and her husband were praying for him.
All of us need to examine our own political rhetoric for the greater good of America. Ask yourself, if Trump is elected again do you think he will lead us to a less divisive time in our history and politics? We need political leaders who do not belittle, threaten or humiliate political adversaries. Joe Biden has had a decades long record of working with and respecting political opponents. This is the norm for Democratic presidents. Biden did it. Obama did it. Clinton did it. Each of these presidents passed significant bipartisan legislation during their time in office. Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee will have the opportunity to carry this legacy forward should she win in November. We need this type of leadership to create a climate of civility in our country. Civility can be defined as “Claiming and caring for one’s identity, needs, and beliefs without degrading someone else’s in the process.” Isn’t that the kind of nation we want our children to grow up in?