Trump’s violent rhetoric underscores his plans 'for dictatorial rule': DC insider

As a politician, Donald Trump has never shied away from inflammatory attacks on opponents. But in recent weeks, the president's rhetoric has been especially violent and threatening.

In an op-ed published by The Guardian on October 9, Sidney Blumenthal — a former senior adviser to President Bill Clinton and author of a series of books on President Abraham Lincoln — emphasizes that the more threatened Trump feels, the more disturbing his remarks become. Trump is presently facing four criminal indictments and a variety of civil lawsuits, including a civil fraud case led by New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

Trump recently suggested that Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, should be executed. He joked about a violent attack on Paul Pelosi, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-California) husband, and he has been angrily railing against James, special counsel Jack Smith and Fulton County, Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis.

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"Trump's torrent of attacks on judges, prosecutors and witnesses is of a piece with his larger project to delegitimize and demolish the institutions of government, including now the House of Representatives through the historic first overthrow of a sitting speaker," Blumental observes. "His goal in every arena is the same: to clear the path to one-man rule. His threats, incitements and smears are more than outbursts. They are statements of intention for his next presidency."

Trump's calls for violence, Blumental argues, paint a troubling picture not only of Trump himself, but also, of all the Republicans who continue to support him.

"By eliminating checks and balances now," Blumental explains, "he's preparing for dictatorial rule. In 2020, under his aegis, the Republican Party passed no platform whatsoever. Now, his incitements are the planks of the Republican platform on which all Republicans must run. His threats are his promises of what is to come."

Blumental adds, "He is moving beyond the politics of grievance to the menace of revenge. Making him their candidate, Republicans are pledged to his violence and illegality. If he can escape accountability for his crimes, the rule of law collapses — and the path is cleared for him. That is his vision. The criminal is the political."

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Sidney Blumenthal's full op-ed for The Guardian is available at this link.