In recent months, supporters of former President Donald J. Trump have employed aggressive language to condemn the criminal charges against him. They have called for retribution and urged Trump’s followers to view the indictments as acts of war. Concerns were raised by police and civic leaders in both Manhattan and Miami, where Trump appeared in court, that this inflammatory rhetoric might incite violent protests. However, on both occasions, the crowds that gathered were relatively tame and small in size.
Although these aggressive words did not lead to violent actions, scholars of political violence argue that they still pose a threat to the fabric and practice of democracy. They acknowledge that many of Trump’s supporters have become more hesitant to act upon the statements made by his allies, considering their experience with the events of January 6, 2021, where the Capitol was attacked. This reluctance could be attributed to the deterrent effect of the ongoing prosecutions of the January 6 protesters, as well as resentment towards Trump for failing to provide financial support to those who were jailed on his behalf.
Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, identified several reasons for the absence of conflict in Miami. She mentioned that some people refrained from attending pro-Trump protests due to concerns about falling victim to what they perceive as “false flag operations” orchestrated by the FBI. Furthermore, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump’s eldest son’s fiancée, posted a picture on Instagram with the caption “Retribution is coming,” intensifying the belligerent language surrounding Trump’s arraignment.
At the Republican state convention in Georgia, Kari Lake, an ardent defender of Trump, emphasized that many of his supporters are gun owners. Additionally, Roger J. Stone Jr., Trump’s longtime political adviser, called for peaceful protests, supported by a Miami chapter of the Proud Boys. However, in the end, the Proud Boys did not show up, suggesting a potential loosening of Trump’s hold on the organization. Some high-ranking members of the group have disavowed Trump and expressed bitterness towards him for the legal consequences they faced following the Capitol attack.
According to Robert Pape, a professor specializing in political violence at the University of Chicago, one reason the Miami protests fizzled out was that Trump’s actions before his arraignment were less incendiary than his actions before January 6. Unlike his explicit summons for a “wild” protest in Washington and his call to “fight like hell” during the Capitol attack, Trump did not employ such rhetoric in Miami. Moreover, the organization of the Miami protest occurred over a weekend, whereas the pro-Trump rallies leading up to January 6 were planned and executed by professional organizers, attracting large crowds over a period of two months.
While it is essential to hold elected officials and media figures accountable for their use of violent language, Rachel Kleinfeld emphasizes the need for balance. False threats must not be treated as serious, as it diminishes the credibility of genuine perils. Americans must be discerning in identifying real threats to democracy.
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