Dan Rather: ‘No Citizen Who Cares About the Country and Its Future Can Ignore What Trump Said’
Veteran Journalist Delivers Scathing Rebuke to Donald Trump for His ‘Second Amendment’ Call for Violence
One of America’s most beloved and respect journalists, a veteran of journalism when journalism was about facts not traffic, on Tuesday delivered a scathing takedown of Donald Trump and his “Second Amendment people” call to violence against his presidential campaign opponent, Hillary Clinton.
“No trying-to-be objective and fair journalist, no citizen who cares about the country and its future can ignore what Donald Trump said today,” Rather begins. “When he suggested that ‘The Second Amendment People’ can stop Hillary Clinton he crossed a line with dangerous potential.”
Rather calls Trump’s remarks “a new low and unprecedented in the history of American presidential politics.” He should know. He spent 43 years at CBSNews, and he’s been covering American politics for 66 years, since his first job as an AP reporter in 1950.
“This is no longer about policy, civility, decency or even temperament. This is a direct threat of violence against a political rival,” Rather continues, arguing the legal ramifications of Trump’s remarks. “It is not just against the norms of American politics, it raises a serious question of whether it is against the law. If any other citizen had said this about a Presidential candidate, would the Secret Service be investigating?”
Accusing the Republican nominee of “inciting violence,” Rather continues: “To anyone who still pretends this is a normal election of Republican against Democrat, history is watching. And I suspect its verdict will be harsh. Many have tried to do a side-shuffle and issue statements saying they strongly disagree with his rhetoric but still support the candidate. That is becoming woefully insufficient. The rhetoric is the candidate.”
His entire post, which he wrote on Facebook, is worth the read.
EARLIER:
Why Trump’s ‘Second Amendment’ Attack on Clinton Is Even More Dangerous Than You Might Have Thought
NRA Launches $3 Million Anti-Clinton Ad Buy on Heels of Trump Call for ‘Second Amendment’ Violence
‘It’s an Assassination Threat’: Democratic Lawmakers Slam Trump for ‘Second Amendment’ Remarks
Secret Service Is ‘Aware’ of Trump’s ‘Second Amendment’ Comments Against Clinton
Former CIA Director Weighs in on Trump’s Call for ‘Second Amendment’ Violence Against Clinton
Clinton Campaign Responds to Trump’s Call for ‘Second Amendment’ Violence Against Her
Â
Image via Facebook
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.