The explosive reaction to Donald Trump's criminal conviction by his supporters in Congress and beyond is a troubling sign of what's to come in our political landscape. This incident serves as a precursor to potential unrest if the upcoming November election mirrors the chaos of 2020.
Trump and his allies have lashed out at the jury and the judge, accusing the Department of Justice of corruption. With unfounded claims and dangerous calls for revenge, Republicans are emboldening violent white power movements. Despite the convictions related to the January 6 Capitol assault, extremists are rallying again, spurred by Trump’s conviction. A Reuters investigation quoted a Proud Boys member declaring "war" after the conviction, while another warned of "bad things" if Trump is denied the presidency.
Jail doesn't deter these extremists, especially with Trump promising to pardon the January 6 perpetrators if he's reelected. Unsurprisingly, a national poll shows two-thirds of Americans fear election-related violence this year.
Trump and his followers are undermining the core pillars of our democracy: fair elections and fair trials. Republicans who advocate for the rule of law, like former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, are being ostracized by a party that has abandoned its values in favor of Trump’s agenda.
House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed, without evidence, that the Biden Administration has weaponized the justice system. This despite the fact that the case against Trump was brought by a local district attorney, not the DOJ. Rep. Elise Stefanik and Sen. Tom Cotton echoed these unfounded claims, calling the conviction a "Biden mastermind plot."
Many Republicans accuse the Justice Department of targeting Trump selectively, yet they ignore the indictments of Democrats like Sen. Robert Menendez and Rep. Henry Cuellar for corruption. The Manhattan case against Trump wasn’t frivolous; he falsified business records to cover up a payment to silence an adult film actress before the 2016 election. Though less serious than his other indictments, it’s reminiscent of how Al Capone was ultimately convicted of tax evasion.
Despite this, Republicans vow to bring Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg before Congress, cut funds for the Trump special prosecutor, and block Biden’s nominations requiring Senate confirmation. Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon even urged Trump to imprison Bragg if he’s reelected.
This rhetoric fuels groups like the Proud Boys, who are reappearing at Trump rallies, ready for conflict. Trump’s failure to denounce their violence only emboldens them.
The threat is real: Nearly 40% of journalists covering politics in swing states have faced physical violence on the job, with many also experiencing online threats and legal harassment, according to a survey by the International Women’s Media Foundation.
The next six months could be perilous for American politics. It’s crucial for Republicans to put the nation first and halt their reckless rhetoric, which endangers the entire country.
Albert R. Hunt, a Washington columnist, has covered U.S. politics since 1972 for outlets like the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, and the International New York Times. You can follow his insights on his weekly podcast and Substack.
