"Republicans are setting a trap: How the party is using loaded language to paint peaceful protesters as radicals"
In an effort to discredit the 'No Kings' national protests scheduled for Saturday, Republican leaders have resorted to labeling them as "hate-America rallies." Speaker Mike Johnson described the event as a gathering of those with pro-Hamas views and those from anti-fa factions. House Republican Whip Tom Emmer warned that attendees would display disdain for America.
The author argues that these comments are not spontaneous but rather part of a deliberate messaging strategy. They recall their experience as chairman of the RNC, where they fine-tuned talking points to prevent anyone from upending the party message with inflammatory remarks.
This time, however, it's the Republican leadership who are being unhinged. Their comments come across as an attempt to create a narrative that peaceful protests are somehow unpatriotic or radical. But what they're really doing is setting a trap for critics of authoritarianism, like former President Barack Obama, who has been vocal about the dangers of such movements.
The author notes that Trump-era Republicans are not only eroding civil liberties but also attacking the free press and punishing dissent. The protesters at the 'No Kings' rally, on the other hand, are simply exercising their right to peaceful assembly and defending democracy.
A deeper question arises: where is the bipartisan support for protecting the Constitution? Former President George W. Bush's silence on this matter is particularly notable, given his past commitment to American moral leadership. The author believes that Bush's voice would lend significant weight to the movement, but his silence has sent a disturbing message: defending democracy is optional.
The author concludes by saying that standing up against authoritarianism and demanding accountability is not radical; it's what Americans do when they see a wrong being committed. He encourages readers to join the movement and stand up for their rights under the Constitution.
In an effort to discredit the 'No Kings' national protests scheduled for Saturday, Republican leaders have resorted to labeling them as "hate-America rallies." Speaker Mike Johnson described the event as a gathering of those with pro-Hamas views and those from anti-fa factions. House Republican Whip Tom Emmer warned that attendees would display disdain for America.
The author argues that these comments are not spontaneous but rather part of a deliberate messaging strategy. They recall their experience as chairman of the RNC, where they fine-tuned talking points to prevent anyone from upending the party message with inflammatory remarks.
This time, however, it's the Republican leadership who are being unhinged. Their comments come across as an attempt to create a narrative that peaceful protests are somehow unpatriotic or radical. But what they're really doing is setting a trap for critics of authoritarianism, like former President Barack Obama, who has been vocal about the dangers of such movements.
The author notes that Trump-era Republicans are not only eroding civil liberties but also attacking the free press and punishing dissent. The protesters at the 'No Kings' rally, on the other hand, are simply exercising their right to peaceful assembly and defending democracy.
A deeper question arises: where is the bipartisan support for protecting the Constitution? Former President George W. Bush's silence on this matter is particularly notable, given his past commitment to American moral leadership. The author believes that Bush's voice would lend significant weight to the movement, but his silence has sent a disturbing message: defending democracy is optional.
The author concludes by saying that standing up against authoritarianism and demanding accountability is not radical; it's what Americans do when they see a wrong being committed. He encourages readers to join the movement and stand up for their rights under the Constitution.