Dear Mr. President:
America is still in shock from that moment on Saturday that an assassin’s bullet wounded former President Donald Trump during his presidential campaign rally. Only by the grace of God was his life spared.
Within hours of that near-tragedy, you twice spoke to the nation and declared that political violence was “one reason we have to unite this country.” Those are laudable sentiments, but Mr. President, a few words cannot and will not undo your statements and actions over the past three and a half years that have not united Americans, but have divided us. You have not just criticized, but demonized your opponent and the millions of Americans who support him.
Americans remember that on September 1, 2022, you launched an all-out rhetorical attack against millions of citizens who support President Trump. In front of a blood-red background, and flanked by U.S. Marines as visual enforcers, you shouted that “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.” You shouted that “MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution. They do not believe in the rule of law. They do not recognize the will of the people.”
In your November 3, 2022 speech just before the 2022 midterm elections, you again sought to divide the American people, accusing Republicans of fueling a “dangerous rise in political violence and voter intimidation over the past two years.” You claimed that “democracy is on the ballot,” as if the millions of Americans who returned control of the House of Representatives to Republicans the next week opposed democracy. Your State of the Union speech was even worse.
You have made this kind of inflammatory rhetoric a centerpiece of your campaign, and just days before the assassination attempt, you stated that “It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”
I commend you for your decision finally to provide Secret Service protection for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in his campaign for President in the aftermath of the shooting Saturday. I had called for this protection to be given last August. The nation has already suffered through the assassination of Mr. Kennedy’s father and uncle. It was unconscionable that Mr. Kennedy has not been protected until now. Yet, this was a good first step.
Mr. President, your call for unity is laudable. And, I take you at your word. However, if you really wish to “unite this country,” there are several meaningful policy actions you can take to prove it. I suggest you end your verbal and governmental assault on your political opponents by taking the following steps.
Finally, returning to the topic of the near-assassination of former President Trump last Saturday, the American People do not trust an investigation of security failures by the Department of Homeland security being conducted by the FBI and your Justice Department. I suggest that you instead appoint a panel of three state attorneys general, two of whom should be Republicans, and grant them full authority to investigate the events of that day.
Mr. President, you cannot unite a country when you have declared war upon half of its citizens, weaponizing your government to silence and imprison your political opponents. In brief, I urge you to demilitarize not just your rhetoric, but also your policies. Should you continue these divisive policies, paradoxically, you will accomplish the unification of Americans — but it will be Americans unifying in opposition to both you and your Administration.
Respectfully,
Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn (U.S. Army, ret.)
Paid for by Gallatin County Republican Chair Committee. Treasurer, Debbie Moran PO Box 2005 Bozeman, MT 59771-2005