Is Fiery Rhetoric Inspiring Political Violence?

A second assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump occurred over the weekend at his West Palm Beach golf course. The suspect, Ryan Routh, was thwarted by the Secret Service, and the gunman now sits in a Florida jail, facing two federal gun charges, with more charges likely for his assassination plot on Sunday. Florida Congresswoman Laurel Lee sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security, and she joined the Rundown to explain how a House task force is tackling this issue of political violence, her belief that former President Trump’s protective detail must be elevated, and the need for American political rhetoric to allow disagreement without violence. 

The would-be shooter, Ryan Routh, was discovered hiding at the sixth hole of the Trump International Golf Club, wielding an “AK-47 style rifle with a scope.” Routh is a Hawaii resident with a long history of criminal charges and making fiery, politically charged posts online. Now, many are calling to turn down the temperature of our political rhetoric. Former President Trump noted that he feels the Democrats and the mainstream media’s characterization of him as a “threat to democracy” has encouraged violence toward him. American University School of Public Affairs Professor Thomas Zeitzoff joins the podcast to discuss how rhetoric influences political violence, how divisive politics have shaped modern America, and what both parties can do to ease tensions this election season.

Plus, commentary from host of “The Will Cain Show”, Will Cain.

Photo Credit: AP