Great Power in the Hands of Irresponsible Men
The right to speak freely does not mean there are not nevertheless consequences when resentful individuals act on what is said.
Donald Trump is no stranger to political hyperbole. In fact, it’s his native tongue. He speaks in absolutes—things are the best or the worst. Nuance is not his forte. But what happens when hyperbole meets a lack of nuance? What happens when the man with the golden Twitter fingers incites violence against his opponents? So far, nothing.
Trump has continued his long-standing practice of saying or sharing violent ideas against his political opponents—this time, it was a video of Biden hogtied. In the past, speaking of protesters, he has encouraged supporters to “knock the crap out of them,” even going as far as to say, “I will pay for the legal fees.”
Trump has a power very few Americans have. He can turn his words into others’ actions. On January 6th, 2021, his supporters gathered near the White House for his “Save America Rally.” At 8:17 am, he tweeted that Mike Pence should “send” the votes “back to the States.” At 12:00 p.m., Trump told the crowd, “We will never give up. We will never concede," and at 12:15, he told them, “Walk down to the Capitol.”
His supporters followed his instructions and refused to give up. They arrived at the Capitol with gallows and chants of “Hang Mike Pence” and forced their way into the building. What ensued was hours-long hand-to-hand combat by Capitol police and Trump supporters who refused to give up.
Political violence is something this nation has seen a lot of in its brief history. The Constitution was written after an armed uprising called Shay’s Rebellion threatened the stability of the young republic. Four out of forty-six presidents have been assassinated: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy. Most Americans are familiar with Lincoln and Kennedy, but the Story of James Garfield might be the most relevant in our current political reality.
Garfield was elected as a reform candidate during a time steeped in political corruption. His vice president was Chester A. Arthur. They represented the two different political factions of the Republican party. Garfield was part of the Half-Breeds, a moderate faction of the party that favored civil service reform, including merit-based appointments to government positions rather than on political affiliation or loyalty. Arthur was part of the Stalwarts, who supported the continuation of the spoils system, where political supporters were rewarded with government jobs.
Arthur was the political protégé of U.S. Senator Roscoe Conkling from New York. Conkling often disparaged civil service reform, calling it “snivel service.” He made it his mission to defeat Garfield’s reform effort and fought him relentlessly. Conkling and Garfield were at odds over the appointment of the Collector of the Port of New York, a lucrative and powerful position controlling many government jobs. Garfield nominated a reformer instead of Conkling's preferred candidate, and as a result, Conkling resigned from the Senate. Enter Charles Guiteau.
Charles J. Guiteau was a Stalwart and a delusional office seeker. He believed he was owed a federal appointment because of his "rebel war claim idea" that "elected President Garfield." He pestered Secretary of State James G. Blaine relentlessly, and on May 14th, Blaine told Giteau, “Never bother me again about the Paris consulship so long as you live."
Guiteau was a tortured soul, isolated and lacking proper education. He found himself chasing delusions of grandeur. He stalked Garfield to the Baltimore and Potomac train station, where he shot him twice on July 2, 1881. Garfield would die in September due to the injuries.
Guiteau thought that by killing the President, Vice President Arthur, a Stalwart like him, whom he had met “at least ten times” while campaigning, would ascend to the office and give him the federal appointment he deeply sought.
Garfield’s death doesn’t appear to have phased Conkling, but Chester A. Arthur was a changed man. As the weight of responsibility set in on him, he began to see the patronage system as something that perverted politics, and he became a reformer in Garfield’s place.
Conkling, like Trump, had a lot of power. Like Trump, he made politics about this or that, his team or their team. He bullied his opponents and leveraged his friends. He weaponized rhetoric to advance his interests. He was bitter and vindictive towards Garfield. He used his power to enrich himself and his friends while attacking his enemies. Guiteau, lacking family and hope, clung to a federal appointment as payment for a job completed. The series of events and circumstances cost Garfield his life.
As a former president and current presidential candidate, Trump carries a lot of power. What he says and does influences millions across the country. When he uses violent rhetoric against his opponents, he can’t know if a Guiteau is lying in wait. As Uncle Ben says, “With great power comes great responsibility.” He should be more responsible with his power. When will he treat his power responsibly?
The First Amendment protects free speech but does not protect the right to incite violence. Trump knows that when he speaks, his followers listen. Congress has already been evacuated from the Capitol once because of his recklessness. The Republican party has seen reckless behavior lead to the death of one man already. If Trump can’t handle the responsibility of office, the party should replace him on the ballot with someone worthy of the people's power. Then again, it’s unlikely his family will act against the godfather.
Jeff Mayhugh is the co-founder of the Madisonian Republicans and a former Congressional Candidate for VA10. @Jmayhugh28
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