MAGA is a domestic terrorist threat thanks to Donald Trump

There is nothing redeeming about MAGA

“Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.”  

Those words delivered by President Biden on Sept 1, 2022 in Philadelphia—in what I believe historians will say was one of his most important speeches-- came to mind this morning. That happened when I was reading about the threats posed by MAGA terrorists (and yes, that is what they MUST be called) against the federal judge presiding over Trump’s Jan 6 case and Fulton County, Ga. grand jurors ---together with new polling that shows the GOP base loves Trump even more today than before he was charged for attempting a coup.

There’s nothing redeeming about MAGA. Seriously, take a moment and reflect on what MAGA is about. Does MAGA contribute anything positive to our nation? No. In fact, it’s the opposite. Trump and MAGA are a cancer that has spread and now engulfs all but a small sliver of the GOP. As a result, today’s MAGA-GOP is accurately defined as a white supremacist, fascist movement that embraces violence and seeks to impose their religious beliefs as law. That is not hyperbolic, that is the cold, hard truth.

And MAGA is no longer just a fascist movement, it’s also a domestic terrorist threat thanks to Donald Trump. He has spent years radicalizing otherwise patriotic Americans to be primed to threaten and/or commit violence—just like an ISIS or Al Qaeda recruiter. As such, Trump fully understands that when he targets a person, his radicalized base will spring into action with at least threats—if not violence.

Two weeks ago I wrote an article warning of this: “Trump wants another MAGA terrorist attack—and alarmingly he may get it.” At the time, I focused on Trump’s social media post after he was charged for his Jan 6 crimes that read, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”  

From there Trump attacked Judge Chutkan—who is presiding over his Jan 6 case-- in posts including writing that, “There is no way I can get a fair trial with the judge ‘assigned’ to the ridiculous freedom of speech/fair elections case.”  Within days, we saw reports that security for Judge Chutkan had to be stepped up.

Now we learn a Texas woman has been arrested for threatening to kill the judge invoking the very sentiment of Trump’s August 4th social media post. As CNN reported, Abigail Jo Shry called the chambers of Judge Chutkan on August 5— and left a voicemail message threatening to “kill anyone who went after former President Trump.” This exactly what Trump wanted when he posted on social media just the day before: “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”  

The MAGA terrorist’s threats versus Judge Chutkan continued, “If Trump doesn’t get elected in 2024, we are coming to kill you, so tread lightly, b*tch,” adding, “You are in our sights, we want to kill you.” Investigators said in the complaint that Shry continued her threats, saying: “You will be targeted personally, publicly, your family, all of it.”

Shry—in keeping with what MAGA is about—also spewed racist hate at the judge, calling the judge a “stupid slave n***er” in the voicemail.

This very similar to the threats reported Wednesday by NBC News made against the grand jurors in Fulton County who voted to indict Trump for 13 felonies for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in that state. In Georgia, the names of the grand jurors are made public and appeared in the indictment. It didn’t take long for the MAGA terrorists to jump into action doing what Trump wanted:  Going after those who for came after Trump.

On Tuesday, photos of at least two jurors were posted on Twitter by MAGA terrorists. As The Washington Post reported, “Names of jurors popped up in pro-Trump extremist forums,” with people calling to harass them—and even go to their house just like some Trumpers did when harassing Georgia election worker Ruby Freeman which is detailed in the recent indictment against 19 defendants.

One post in a pro-Trump forum in response the names of jurors read, “These jurors have signed their death warrant by falsely indicting President Trump."

As a result, several of the jurors disabled their profiles on LinkedIn and Facebook. Others turned off their phones, sending callers straight to voice mail.

And in keeping with the white supremacy that defines MAGA, Trump’s post Tuesday slamming the charges against him by Fulton County DA Fani Willis has brought joy to his fans by his use of the term, “riggers.” The Trump post in question reads, “They never went after those that Rigged the Election. They only went after those that fought to find the RIGGERS!” Even a former aide of Trump, Alyssa Farah Griffin, called the use of word “riggers” a racial dog whistle to conjure up the N-word.

And as NBC News reported, Trump’s fans online where now “using the term ‘rigger’ in lieu of a racial slur" in posts.” You get it. MAGA is vile. And they are sending the very message Trump wants to witnesses, judges and potential jurors: We will come for you if you dare come for Trump.

Will Trump denounce these threats by his supporters? Of course not. In fact, if he wins, we can expect Trump to pardon those who engage in violence on his behalf just as he has pledged to pardon the MAGA terrorist who waged the Jan 6 attack on his behalf.  Trump’s message is clear that if he wins in 2024, he will have the back of his MAGA terrorists the same way they have his now.

I encourage everyone to read again what President Biden had to say in that September 2022 speech in Philadelphia.  Here are a few lines that need to be highlighted given where we find our nation today:

“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.  They refuse to accept the results of a free election.”

“Democracy cannot survive when one side believes there are only two outcomes to an election: either they win or they were cheated.  And that’s where MAGA Republicans are today.”

“MAGA Republicans have made their choice.  They embrace anger.  They thrive on chaos.  They live not in the light of truth but in the shadow of lies.”

And of their loyalty to Trump over all else, Biden stated correctly: “History tells us that blind loyalty to a single leader and a willingness to engage in political violence is fatal to democracy.”

Biden continued in that speech by citing the “better angels” of Americans, noting that, “I know this nation…This is a nation that honors our Constitution.  We do not reject it.” He added, “This is a nation that respects free and fair elections.  We honor the will of the people.  We do not deny it.  And this is a nation that rejects violence as a political tool.  We do not encourage violence.”

We do. MAGA does not.

Neither Biden nor any of us are being hyperbolic when we say MAGA is the greatest threat currently facing our freedoms and our democratic Republic. We are simply telling the truth.  

As the President stated, “American democracy is guaranteed, but it’s not,” adding, “We have to defend it, protect it, stand up for it — each and every one of us.”  

I know that we will stand up for it and that we will defeat Trump. It won’t be easy but in a contest between MAGA versus the United States of America, I know that the USA will win.

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