Recent McAllen shooting part of worrisome national trend
The early Monday morning shooting in McAllen, which has since made all the local, state, national, international news, only serves to underscore the point that violence as it relates to politics in the U.S. is almost reminiscent of the 1960s. The tragic decade that saw the assassinations of JFK, MLK, and RFK, are now reflected, to a degree, in the news we’ve seen since the start of the 2024 presidential election.
This recent violence seen of late includes the two attempts on the life of Donald Trump and the recent shootings last month in Minnesota, where a man, age 57, shot and killed the state’s female House speaker along with her husband, and wounding a state senator and his wife.
It appears that the Minnesota shootings came from the extreme political right, or at least someone steeped in that ideology, while Monday’s McAllen shootings came from someone who hates Trump and his anti-deportation policies, although the investigation is still ongoing.
The Department of Homeland Security released a public statement about the shootings Monday, which is printed within this article in its entirety, but it’s partisan.
It’s not just one side across today’s political landscape that’s spouting rhetoric intended to incite political passions, but both sides.
For example, during a July 4 speech, which was organized as a non-political celebration, the president had this to say about Democrats, especially the ones who had just voted to oppose his spending bill:
“They wouldn’t vote only because they hate Trump, but I hate them, too, you know? I really do. I hate them. I cannot stand them, because I really believe they hate our country.”
In an interview before the festivities at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley said the anniversary events are “something that I think that all Americans can come together to celebrate and honor our history as well as our present and our future.” (Source: dailybeast.com.)
Conversely, according to Axios.com, which interviewed four Democrat U.S. representatives, two of whom asked for anonymity to speak about such a sensitive issue — violence — the rhetoric is only growing more extreme.
“Our own base is telling us that what we’re doing is not good enough ... [that] there needs to be blood to grab the attention of the press and the public," the lawmaker said.
A fourth House Democrat, according to the same Axios. com July 7 story — “Democrats told to get shot for the anti-Trump resistance” — had this to say about the current state of affairs:
“A fourth House Democrat said constituents have told them ‘civility isn't working’ and to prepare for ‘violence ... to fight to protect our democracy.’”
Several Democrats agreed to be quoted by name for the Axios story, including Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.):
“We’ve got people who are desperately wanting us to do something ... no matter what we say, they want [more].”
That story was published Monday but written before the shootings in McAllen.
The DHS press release
The press release related to the shootings this week, provided by DHS, is pasted below.
The July 8 release is headlined: Three Law Enforcement Personnel Injured After Horrific Shooting in McAllen, Texas.
You be the judge. Is it an objective news report (press release) or a reason to politicize things by claiming that the “toxic rhetoric” is only coming from one side of the political aisle?
“TEXAS – Yesterday morning, a gunman, preliminarily identified as Ryan Louis Mosqued, opened fire at the entrance of the United States Border Patrol (USBP) sector annex in McAllen, Texas.
“The suspect was neutralized by law enforcement who acted heroically to stop the shooter before there was any loss of life, however three were injured. A McAllen police officer was shot in the leg. Both a Border Patrol officer and Border Patrol employee also sustained injuries. All three were taken to the hospital in non-critical condition. This incident is being investigated by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility in coordination with the FBI.
“This attack comes as federal law enforcement is facing a staggering surge in assaults and politicians continue to vilify and attack law enforcement. Just yesterday Axios published a post quoting a (Democrat) lawmaker saying: ‘Our own base is telling us that what we’re doing is not good enough ... [that] there needs to be blood to grab the attention of the press and the public.’
“Yesterday’s heinous and unprovoked attack in McAllen could have been a bloodbath if not for the fearless actions of Border Patrol and McAllen law enforcement,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “This vile assault on our officers is a disgusting escalation fueled by toxic rhetoric vilifying those who protect our borders. This must end now, and those stoking this violence will face consequences.”