greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 18
th, 2024 at 11:31am:
So, it turns out it wasn't an assassination attempt at all.
The guy never fired a single round, and he's only been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
No, this was not an assassination attempt in the strictest sense, though it certainly could have been, had intervention not occurred. While the distinctions are crucial to note, one must question how much they truly matter in the grander scheme.
The fact that he was stopped is a relief, leaving us to speculate on the potential outcome had he not been intercepted. However, it is alarming that an individual with his history was able to cross state lines, use an out-of-state ID, and purchase body armor and a high-powered firearm with apparent ease. This highlights systemic failures in the regulation of firearms and body armor acquisition, yet it remains unclear if any substantial changes will follow.
Unfortunately, this incident is likely to be subsumed into the broader political narrative. Trump and his supporters will almost certainly attempt to use this event to galvanise support, as they have in the past. However, the current climate may no longer be as receptive to such tactics.
What is particularly troubling is Trump’s unwillingness to moderate his rhetoric, which operates on two fronts. It not only escalates hostilities and deepens societal divisions, but it also creates a paradox: when his opponents cite his words to illustrate the dangers of such discourse, they are then accused of inflaming tensions themselves. This dynamic perpetuates a cycle of conflict that leaves little room for constructive dialogue or resolution.
Which is exactly what he and his supporters want.