Good Point

Carl Beijer makes the obvious observation that, not withstanding all of the pious assertions that violence has no place in American politics following the Trump assassination attempt, the right-wing has enthusiastically endorsed political violence in America.

How many times have various reactionaries talked about, "2nd Amendment solutions?"

They actively support political violence and the threat of political violence:

“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America.” - President Joe Biden

“Violence such as this has no place in our nation.” - Vice President Kamala Harris

“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.” - President Barack Obama

“Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process.” - President Bill Clinton

“This horrific act of violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.” - Speaker Mike Johnson

Yesterday an American citizen took up arms against the former and potential next president, Donald Trump. And in response, politician after politician has given us some variation on the same statement: political violence is absolutely unacceptable in the United States.

But if this is true, can someone please explain to me why we still have the Second Amendment? Because one of its most common justifications today goes something like this:

“If [Clinton] gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do folks…Although the Second Amendment people — maybe there is, I don’t know.” — President Donald Trump

“A well-armed citizenry acts as a major check on the ability of would-be tyrants, enabling the people to forcibly resist oppression.” — The Heritage Foundation

“The 2nd Amendment’s purpose is to guard against tyranny…” — Cornel West

“The Constitution’s Framers knew that a free society could exist only if the people were truly sovereign and able to act as a check against tyrannical government.” — Rep. Bob Good

“…the Second Amendment…serves as a fundamental check on government tyranny.” — Sen. Ted Cruz

I have to admit, I cannot understand how one can say that political violence has no place in America and also believe that we have a sacred right to political violence that is supposedly enshrined in our Constitution. If you believe that then you can argue, perhaps, that Trump is not a tyrant — but that is a very different thing from taking the stance a lot of conservatives are taking right now, one which pleads that political violence is inherently illegitimate.

(emphasis original)

When Republicans object to political violence, they only object to political violence directed toward them.