This column, from the weekly opinion piece MATTER OF FACT, first appeared on BrooklynReporter.com, the Home Reporter and Spectator dated July 26, 2024
Political violence has no place in our county. True but, sadly, it has already been here for some time. It is getting worse and it exists at every level of politics, from the national scene on down to the local.
On July 13, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was shot at, the first such attempt on the life of someone who served as president in four decades. Fortunately, the would-be assassin was unsuccessful, but it senselessly left one rally attendee dead.
Rep Mike Collins (R-GA) tweeted that day, “Joe Biden sent the orders.” Reps Boebert (R-CO) and Greene (R-GA) shared similar accusations on social media. JD Vance, fresh off being named Trump’s running mate, said on July 17, “They literally shot him!” Who exactly did he mean by “they” when a lone gunman was responsible?
Thomas Crooks, 20, registered as a Republican after he turned 18. There were reports of a $15 donation to a progressive group from a Thomas Crooks at his address, but the document purporting this listed Pittsburgh as the city, when the shooter lived in Bethel Park. There is a 65-year-old Thomas Crooks who lives in Pittsburgh.
Peers said Crooks was a fan of Trump in high school and wore a Trump shirt in 8th grade. Classmates said he was politically conservative. Neighbors told WPXI he’s had pro-Trump signs at his house for years. Falsely claiming “the Democrats are responsible” has the potential to foment further violence.
The shooter was a registered Republican gun enthusiast who used a weapon Democrats have tried to ban. As we have seen in some celebrity killings, people obsessed with a public figure have at times illogically visited violence upon them.
The apparent failures of the Secret Service must be investigated. According to the FBI, Crooks was first identified as suspicious at 5:10 PM. At 5:30 PM he was spotted with a rangefinder. At 5:52 PM authorities spotted him on the roof. Trump took the stage ten minutes later and Crooks began firing ten minutes after that. Snipers took 11 seconds to locate him and 15 seconds later was shot dead.
Indicative of the current climate, the widow of the man killed told a reporter two days later that Biden called but she would not speak to him because her husband “would not have wanted [her] to talk to him.” She did say, “I don’t have any ill will towards Joe Biden. He didn’t do anything to my husband.” As of that day, the family had not heard from Trump, who was golfing the day after the shooting.
I may be diametrically opposed to everything Trump stands for, but I was immediately horrified and condemned the attempt on his life. The reality is, the political violence we have seen increasing is thanks, in large part, to Trump.
He has cheered on protesters being brutalized. The El Paso and Tree of Life Synagogue mass shooters cited his rhetoric as inspirations for their acts. He suggested that citizens protesting George Floyd’s murder be shot.
Moments the assassination attempt, rally goers chanted, “F**k Joe Biden,” eliciting cheers from the crowd. Biden promptly condemned the attack and called Trump to see how he was doing. It is impossible to imagine Trump would have done the same, as we have already seen how he mocked Nancy Pelosi’s safety at her home and her husband’s condition after he was nearly bludgeoned to death with a hammer.
Locally, we saw violence entangled with politics in Bensonhurst at a July 17 protest against a homeless shelter. Videos show Councilmember Susan Zhuang pushing metal barriers into NYPD officers and resisting attempts to cuff her. Police shared gruesome photos of what they said were bite wounds on a police chief from Zhuang. She was charged with felony assault, resisting arrest, and obstruction of government administration.
Senator Gounardes and Councilman Brannan released a statement labeling Zhuang’s actions as “unbecoming of an elected official” and calling for “full accountability.” Zhuang, a Democrat who was caught on camera while campaigning in 2023 telling a man, “My ideas are the ideas of the Republican party,” received support from political allies.
Fellow Common Sense Caucus member, Councilman Holden, said he did not condone biting a police officer but largely defended her, saying she’s been supportive of police and it is too early to judge. Mayor Adams said we “need to find out exactly what happened,” adding “Susan has always been a partner with us.” Her mentor, Assemblyman Colton, and Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair, Assemblymember Bichotte-Hermelyn, issued statements sharing similar sentiments while casting blame on the police.
NYPD officials referred to Zhuang as a partner with police, “but the actions… of assaulting one of our police officers… by biting him viciously in the arm, I can’t explain it.” Whether a deadly action aimed at a national political figure or a violent act perpetrated by a local politician, everybody – especially elected officials – must be clear that there are no excuses that justify political violence.
