The Power of Fear: How it Influences Trump's Supporters
Former President Donald Trump's refusal to denounce political violence amid mounting legal challenges and his bid for a White House comeback is analyzed as a fear-driven strategy to avoid imprisonment, argued by Frida Ghitis
Editors Note: Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist and a regular opinion contributor to CNN, The Washington Post, and World Politics Review. The views expressed in this commentary are solely her own. For more opinion pieces, visit CNN's website.
The statement shocked the courtroom. During the former president's claim of absolute immunity from prosecution, Judge Florence Pan posed the question to Donald Trump's lawyer, "Could a president order SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival?"
Frida Ghitis
CNN
To anyone who is not a hardened tyrant, the answer is obviously "no." However, Trump's lawyer evaded the question, highlighting the absurdity of their claim by stating that the president could only be prosecuted if he had been impeached and convicted beforehand.
Trump's team's apparent indifference to a clear abuse of power was not a far-fetched scenario outlined in law, but rather a shocking reality that made headlines. This resonated with the public as it was consistent with the Trump we know - a politician who has condoned and even praised political violence in support of himself. It once again signaled that Trump endorses and supports political violence for his own agenda.
After Tuesday's hearing, Trump seemed to indicate that there would be further chaos if he does not win. "There will be chaos in the country," he cautioned. When asked by a reporter if he would urge his supporters to avoid violence, he disregarded the question, leaving the room and missing an opportunity.
Trump has consistently expressed solidarity with those imprisoned, whom he refers to as "hostages," for their involvement in the lethal assault on the US Capitol on January 6, a day he previously referred to as "beautiful."
Certainly, individuals convicted of crimes committed on Jan. 6 are not hostages but rather incarcerated criminals. Trump's unwavering refusal to denounce political violence strongly implies that his use of language is a strategic maneuver.
From left, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley.
Rebecca Wright/CNN
Iowa may have the deciding vote in determining whether the GOP will have an alternative to Trump. As the election approaches and his legal issues grow, Trump is avoiding condemning political violence, seemingly in an effort to make a comeback to the White House instead of facing imprisonment.
We've witnessed this scenario previously. Well before January 6, warning signs were apparent, particularly during a 2020 presidential debate when Trump was prompted to denounce White supremacists, including the Proud Boys. Instead, Trump seemingly gave them a directive, stating, "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by."
Just three months later, the group's members were involved in violent attempts to reverse the election outcome, constituting a coup against US democracy. Their leader was convicted of seditious conspiracy and received a 22-year prison sentence.
I sensed the ominous change. "In my years of work, I have seen similar moments in many non-democratic countries," I wrote, feeling the haunting memories surface after hearing Trump's words.
The growing evidence of the impact of his backing of aggressive tactics against his opponents is mounting in the legal system. According to ABC News, there are at least 54 criminal cases where the individuals involved in threats or violence, or their defense attorneys, referenced Trump in relation to their cases. For example, a man in Florida declared, "This is for Trump," as he attacked a Latino gas station attendant.
The true consequence of Trump's supporters' willingness to use violence in his name has had a noticeable impact within the Republican Party. We may have finally uncovered the reason why the GOP has readily complied with Trump's desires, and why individuals of principle are reluctant to address Trump's false claims about the 2020 election or any of his many offenses: the party's leaders are gripped by fear. They are not only concerned for their political futures, but also for the safety of themselves and their families. The threat of violence looms over a nation whose citizens, surprisingly, have more common ground than is often perceived.
Ex-President Donald Trump addresses the press at a Washington hotel on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, following a session at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in the federal courthouse in Washington.
Susan Walsh/AP
Opinion: Why Trumps immunity claim fell flat in court
Rachel Kleinfeld of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace believes that Americans are not as ideologically polarized as they think, but emotions are being intentionally polarized for political gain. Demagogues like Trump are skilled at manipulating emotions, as demonstrated by his calls for violence during a 2016 campaign rally.
A political violence expert, Kleinfeld, stated that "violence and intimidation against elected officials are preventing the rise of a pro-democracy faction within the GOP."
If a greater number of Republicans were willing to publicly oppose Trump, to unequivocally recognize his defeat in the 2020 election, and to expose his baseless claims that legal actions against him are politically motivated, it is possible that more Republican voters could be swayed. However, very few are willing to take such a stand, allowing Trump's deceitful and self-serving version of reality to gain a powerful foothold within an alarmingly large portion of the population and within the Republican Party.
Outside of Washington, moderate and reality-based Republicans are being silenced by death threats, swatting assaults, and the looming threat of violence. Many local officials are choosing to stay silent or leave politics altogether in response to the harassment and intimidation they are facing.
During Trump's presidency, threats of violence against members of Congress increased significantly. As the upcoming election approaches and the stakes for the former president rise, threats of violence are once again on the rise.
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Join us on Twitter and Facebook for updates on recent arrests of individuals making death threats against political figures, bomb threats at state capitols, swatting attacks on judges, and death threats against government officials who have opposed former President Trump.
Trump has recently sent an email to his supporters falsely accusing Biden of a serious crime, insinuating that Biden ordered the special counsel to jail Trump before the 2024 election. This dangerous and self-serving narrative is creating the potential for political violence, even though Trump is not a dictator and does not have authority over Seal Team 6.
