Ryan Routh, the man who planned to assassinate Donald Trump on September 18, has explained in a letter left with a friend why he wanted to carry out the act. His motivations, as revealed in the letter, closely align with the rhetoric of Trump's Democratic opponents.
Routh’s words are not his alone but reflect slogans and critiques often heard from leading Democrats. His letter, which was released after his plan failed, demonstrates his belief that Trump was "dangerously unfit" for the presidency and posed a threat to peace.
In particular, Routh was angered by Trump’s decision to terminate the Iran nuclear deal brokered by Barack Obama. He described Trump's actions as "ending relations with Iran like a child," blaming Trump for the unrest in the Middle East. Routh also expressed a belief that America's president "must embody the moral fabric that is America and be kind, caring, and selfless."
The language Routh used mirrors statements frequently made by Democratic leaders, such as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, raising questions about the influence of political rhetoric on extreme actions. While politicians would never directly endorse violence, the narrative of democracy being at stake in the face of Trump’s potential return to power could inspire some to believe that extreme measures are necessary to "save democracy."
* The New York Post contributed to this article.
