Donald Trump is coming under harsh criticism for his appalling behavior in the wake of the failed mass assassination plot that law enforcement foiled yesterday. Improvised explosives were sent to prominent anti-Trump Democrats as well as CNN, in what was unfortunately a logical terminus for a fraying national discourse increasingly moving towards radical polarization.
The targets of the bomber or bombers matched up with people and organizations that Trump has repeatedly insulted, attacked, and accused of being un-American. In other words, the president bears a share of the blame for what could have been a massacre of his political opponents.
Rather than take responsibility for his role in fomenting the deep divide that led to these acts of attempted terrorism, Trump tried to pivot the blame to Democrats and the media. He also made boilerplate, half-hearted comments about his desire to protect all Americans and unite a divided nation.
The president’s failure to take a strong stance or accept any kind of culpability raises the chances that such an attack will be attempted again at some point in the future.
Now, fired FBI Director James Comey has taken Trump to task in his trademark fashion: oblique quotes from famous individuals finely tailored to the contemporaneous news cycle.
The lifelong law enforcement officer tweeted out a quote from George Washington that’s clearly a reference to the terrible example Trump is setting for millions of Americans, young and old. It’s an implicit call for the braver kind of leadership that the nation is so desperately craving. Trump certainly won’t heed it but hopefully, the next person to occupy the Oval Office will.
"Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence." – George Washington
— James Comey (@Comey) October 25, 2018
“…and the higher in Rank the Officer is who sets it, the more striking it is.” – George Washington
— James Comey (@Comey) October 25, 2018