Do NOT Talk About Assassination

That would be the worst thing that could happen, or you could do

Former FBI director James Comey is being questioned and raked over the coals because some MAGA characters say he was calling for President Donald Trump’s assassination. This is nonsense; he posted a picture of stones arranged to spell out “86 47.”

Eighty-six usually means “get rid of” or “dump” somebody or something, not kill. Comey made many blunders as FBI chief, one of which may have gotten Hillary Clinton defeated in 2016, but he did not call for anyone to be killed.

Unfortunately, I do see comments on social media hinting or calling for the President to be killed. That is extremely stupid. Not only could calling for his murder get you in big trouble with the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies, if you are opposed to Trump, killing or trying to kill him would be the worst thing you could do.

A failed assassination attempt would do nothing but create sympathy for Trump and strengthen his power. A successful one would very likely completely end democracy and due process in America. Plus — do you think a President JD Vance is going to govern like President Obama? Bernie Sanders?

In all likeihood, everything would be vastly worse.

It’s okay to despise Trump and everything he is, and to call for his impeachment and conviction. You can imagine all sorts of worse things for him; I certainly do. But you must NOT call for anyone to do physical harm to him.

If you doubt me, history provides all sorts of examples. Look up Herschel Grynszpan and the Night of Broken Glass.