Several hours ago, Cesar Altieri Sayoc, Jr., was arrested and indicted on federal criminal charges related to an attempted domestic terrorist attack targeting some of the most prominent individuals within the Democratic Party (including, but not limited to, two former Presidents, a former Vice President, and members of both houses of Congress) and national security experts:
First, I strongly believe that political violence is absolutely unacceptable in American society under any circumstances. I am a Democrat, and there are elected officials, political candidates, and other political figures that I have a strongly favorable opinion of within my own party. However, I would never, under any circumstances, take part in or encourage political violence. The most powerful tool that a U.S. citizen has to effect political change in this country is his or her vote, and, while there has been a long history of political violence in this country, political violence is completely and absolutely incompatible with the values of this great country.
Second, if federal prosecutors have arrested the culprit, Cesar Sayoc is primarily responsible for the attempted terrorist attack. While there is a presumption of innocence in the criminal justice system in this country, and I am not an attorney, it appears to me that prosecutors have an iron-clad case against Sayoc, although whether Sayoc is convicted or acquitted will be determined by a court of law. However, I am absolutely disgusted that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has refused to publicly disavow Sayoc. There is clear evidence that Sayoc is a Trump supporter who attempted to carry out a terrorist attack against political adversaries of Trump. By refusing to publicly disavow Savoc, Trump is refusing to send an iron-clad message that political violence in this country is absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances.
An outspoken supporter of President Trump from South Florida was charged on Friday with sending explosive packages to at least a dozen of the president’s critics, apparently bringing to a close an attempted bombing spree that has gripped the country just ahead of the midterm elections.I will make a couple of very important points here.
The suspect, Cesar Altieri Sayoc Jr., 56, was arrested outside an auto parts store near Fort Lauderdale after a fast-moving investigation in which the authorities said they were able to pull a fingerprint from one of the bomb packages and collect Mr. Sayoc’s DNA from two others.
First, I strongly believe that political violence is absolutely unacceptable in American society under any circumstances. I am a Democrat, and there are elected officials, political candidates, and other political figures that I have a strongly favorable opinion of within my own party. However, I would never, under any circumstances, take part in or encourage political violence. The most powerful tool that a U.S. citizen has to effect political change in this country is his or her vote, and, while there has been a long history of political violence in this country, political violence is completely and absolutely incompatible with the values of this great country.
Second, if federal prosecutors have arrested the culprit, Cesar Sayoc is primarily responsible for the attempted terrorist attack. While there is a presumption of innocence in the criminal justice system in this country, and I am not an attorney, it appears to me that prosecutors have an iron-clad case against Sayoc, although whether Sayoc is convicted or acquitted will be determined by a court of law. However, I am absolutely disgusted that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has refused to publicly disavow Sayoc. There is clear evidence that Sayoc is a Trump supporter who attempted to carry out a terrorist attack against political adversaries of Trump. By refusing to publicly disavow Savoc, Trump is refusing to send an iron-clad message that political violence in this country is absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances.
Comments
Post a Comment