Since the start of the Trump era in 2014, vigilantism and political violence has been normalized. From “I could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue …” to “2024 is the final battle,” Trump made political violence a foundation of his first administration and amplified calls for violence and “retribution” in his soon to be second administration.
That doesn’t mean we have to accept it. But as a society we are on a slippery slope where some have cheered the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thomson by Luigi Mangione.
Mangione called it a "symbolic takedown" of an abusive healthcare system, “it needed to be done." For some, Mangione’s actions were a desperate response to the inequities perpetuated by powerful corporations like United Healthcare.
Mangione has been tranformed into some kind of anti-hero with a rallying cry of “Delay. Deny. Depose.” Words taken from engravings on bullet casings from the shots that killed Thomson.
However, this mindset dangerously blurs the line between justice and lawlessness.
Sadly, during a recent interview with Krysten Welker, President-elect Donald Trump echoed a similar sentiment. Justifying the violent actions of insurrectionists who attacked Capitol Police officers on January 6th, Trump said “they [the insurrectionists] had no choice" but to attack the police officers
This reasoning frames lawlessness as a legitimate response to perceived grievances, allowing violence to be seen as an acceptable tool for change.
However, the truth is clear: when we normalize lawlessness, we erode the very foundation of our society. Political violence and vigilantism, no matter how noble the cause may seem, undermines the rule of law.
The justice system exists to ensure accountability through legal means, not through acts of violence or anarchy. If we embrace vigilantism, we risk descending into chaos, where anyone can take matters into their own hands, and the rights of individuals are no longer protected by law.
In a democratic society, it’s essential that we uphold the rule of law and work within established systems of justice, no matter how flawed they may seem.
We cannot allow violence and lawlessness to become the norm.
Commenti