The gunman who allegedly aimed to target President Donald Trump’s Cabinet at an annual dinner celebrating free speech crystallized widening political violence that imperils such fundamental rights.
The attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association event Saturday night followed a trend of lone attackers with apparently political motives whose actions in an outraged age threaten essential rituals of American democracy.
If is confirmed that Trump was a target, this would be the third assassination attempt against him in less than two years. A spate of killings, attacks and threats against prominent figures in both parties underscores huge risks inherent in public life.
Saturday’s attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner created an unusual shared experience for Trump and the press after gunfire erupted outside the vast ballroom of a Washington hotel and armed security agents and SWAT teams rushed the stage and floor.
The president suggested later he’d planned to criticize media outlets he often claims are fake, a stance many critics believed was incompatible with his invitation. But as guests in black tie and ball gowns dived beneath tables, almost the entire brain trust of the US government and major media figures were for once united — in fear.
The threat felt at the dinner for those in power and those whose job is to scrutinize them underscores how violence — a constant in US history — is becoming a more pervasive reality in the 21st century. It is raising doubts about whether democracy’s essential elements, like free, open expression; public speeches; and traditional campaigning can thrive under oppressive security.
Trump on Sunday vowed that violence should not win and the dinner should be rescheduled, despite accusing the Washington press of being in league with Democrats and covering him unfairly. “Tell them to get it going and we should do it again within 30 days,” Trump told CBS’ Norah O’Donnell on “60 Minutes.” He added, “It’s not that I want to go. I am very busy; I don’t need that. But I think it’s very important that we do it again.”
Trump told O’Donnell he was not sure whether political violence was worsening. “You go back 20 years, 40 years, 100 years, 200 years, 500 years, it’s always been there. People are assassinated, people are injured, people are hurt,” he said. But he accused Democrats of trading in dangerous hate speech.
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