Donald Trump is trying to convince everyone that inflammatory “rhetoric” from Kamala Harris and her campaign caused a recent foiled assassination attempt against him by the Secret Service.

He asserts this even as he flings incendiary comments at Harris and watches while Springfield, Ohio, deals with bomb threats and school evacuations stemming from his outrageous and racist claims about legal Haitian immigrants.

On Monday morning, Trump appeared on Fox News, criticizing Democrats for labeling him “a threat to democracy.”

“Their language is making me the target, while I am the one trying to save the country, and they are the true threat – both from within and outside,” he declared, calling Harris and Democrats “the enemy from within.”

Trump Condemns Political Language While Sharing His Own Provocative Comments

Trump’s logic here is confusing, almost to the point of absurdity. It resembles playground banter, implying: “You called me a threat to democracy, which is awful, and you are the real enemy, ruining our nation.”

Regarding the foiled assassination plot, an advance agent noticed a rifle poking through a fence nearby while Trump was golfing. The agent fired at the individual, who had not yet fired back and was later arrested. The assailant appears to be off-kilter politically, described by NPR as a “vocal supporter-turned-critic of Trump passionate about defending Ukraine against Russia.” In a separate incident in Pennsylvania, where another assassination attempt occurred, the perpetrator was a registered Republican, and the motives remain unclear.

There is no evidence linking either shooter to the narrative pushed by Democrats calling Trump “a threat to democracy.” More crucially, that statement is not exaggerated.

Trump Represents a Real Threat to Democracy, and The Evidence is Abundant.

Trump has consistently proven to be a threat to democracy through his ongoing denial of election results, his role in inciting the violence on January 6 at the Capitol, his constant lying about debunked voter fraud allegations, his endorsement of those convicted for the January 6 insurrection, and even his quip about wanting to be a dictator for a day.

It is utterly absurd to suggest that Harris or her campaign should refrain from discussing the considerable threat Trump poses to our democracy. Democrats are not promoting violence against him or anyone; they are simply affirming a clear truth and urging voters to take action at the polls.

A number of notable Republicans, including former Vice President Dick Cheney and conservative scholar Judge J. Michael Luttig, have made similar remarks about Trump. Cheney recently endorsed Harris, stating, “There has never been anyone more of a threat to our republic than Donald Trump.”

On top of all this, the notion of Trump criticizing any rhetoric is practically laughable.

Examine Trump’s Own Rhetoric to Spot the Hypocrisy

• Just last Friday, Trump labeled Harris as “a radical left Marxist communist fascist.”
• On Sunday, prior to the Florida golf course incident, he declared on social media: “The Democrats are DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY!”
• Then, on Monday morning, he tweeted: “Because of this Communist Left Rhetoric, bullets are flying, and it will only get worse! Allowing millions of unknown migrants to INVADE and take over our Country is an unpardonable sin. OUR BORDERS MUST BE CLOSED, AND THE TERRORISTS, CRIMINALS, AND MENTALLY ILL MUST BE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM OUR CITIES AND RETURNED TO THEIR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN.”

Trump’s Racist Lies Have Instilled Fear in an Ohio Community

These comments come in the aftermath of Trump’s vile falsehoods regarding Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, a narrative that has incited numerous bomb threats and created widespread anxiety among a community of lawful, hardworking immigrants. Just on Monday, two elementary schools in Springfield had to be evacuated due to threats, marking the third consecutive school day impacted by these fears.

Days earlier, Trump made outrageous claims about Haitian immigrants “eating pets” and then falsely asserted: “In Springfield, Ohio, 20,000 illegal Haitian migrants have descended upon a town of 58,000 people, destroying their way of life.”

On Sunday, JD Vance, who is running alongside Trump, essentially acknowledged that the campaign’s harsh accusations against Haitians in Springfield were fabricated, and he didn’t seem to mind. He stated, “If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

However, Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine countered that both Vance and Trump are also inventing stories about the suffering. While Springfield has indeed had difficulties with a surge of legal immigrants, DeWine stressed that the city is not “destroyed” in any way. He remarked, “These individuals are here legally. They came here to work and are looking for better opportunities. They are hardworking people.”

Trump’s Political Identity Stems from Provocative Language

Trump has referred to his political rivals as “vermin,” echoed sentiments reminiscent of Adolf Hitler by claiming immigrants “poison the blood of our country,” and has proudly labeled himself as “a very proud election denier.”

The concern over anyone calling him a threat to democracy is unwarranted. That’s exactly what he is.

Democrats Advocate for Voting, Not Violence

Violence in politics, from any group, is unacceptable. Although I’m relieved that a potentially dangerous plot was disrupted on Sunday, it must be noted that this should not be blamed on the clear and truthful discussions regarding a figure who spreads anti-democratic and racist rhetoric without concern for others.

Trump and his campaign are causing chaos in a Midwestern city through their deceitful language. This is a reality. His past and current statements and actions pose a real risk to our democracy. This is also a verifiable reality.

The sole response to these issues, the one action advocated by Kamala Harris and her campaign, and by people like myself who value America’s core decency, is straightforward: Vote.

Cast your vote, and do not let a dishonest hypocrite intimidate you into silence.

Stay connected with YSL News columnist Rex Huppke on X, previously known as Twitter, at @RexHuppke and Facebook at facebook.com/RexIsAJerk