Like you, I am deeply distressed over the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. It doesn’t matter that he is disreputable in every way and totally unfit for elective office. He is nevertheless human being, and for that reason alone is worthy of respect for his life. I’m grateful that he suffered no serous harm, and heartbroken over the senseless death and injury of others.
I wish I could say there is no room for political violence in our democracy, but to our shame we have given it plenty. It’s nothing new to which our long history of political violence attests. Trump has become the victim of the very violence he has encouraged among his followers, but there is no justice in that. It was an evil act and must be condemned without allowance for any excuse.
There have been many calls for unity in this moment of national concern. It’s the same call that goes unheeded after each mass shooting and episode of civil violence. Perhaps this time we might be unified, not behind a person, but in commitment to cease the rhetoric that justifies violence in the name of righteousness. There is no righteousness in political violence no matter how necessary or justified it may appear to be.