USA (Washington Insider Magazine)- Saturday’s alleged assassination attempt against Donald Trump is likely to lead to increased polarization in the US, which will cause more serious political debate to recede into the background, according to security expert Rainer Saks. While the exact motive for the shooting is still unclear, Saks predicts an increase in emotional and divisive reactions.
Shooting at rally: chaos and reaction
According to Err.ee, during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, shots were fired from a nearby building, prompting Trump to duck behind the podium before being quickly escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents. The incident left Trump and several audience members with minor injuries, with one audience member reportedly killed. The alleged shooter was subsequently killed by a Secret Service sniper.
Uncertainty Surrounding Motive
Saks emphasized that the motive and background of the shooter are still unknown. “We do not know the exact motive and background of the shooter,” he said, adding that gun-related violence is common in the US, making it difficult to pinpoint specific causes. He also noted that the event would likely hurt the American presidential campaign and politics in general.
Increased Polarization and Emotional Reactions
The attack is expected to escalate polarization within US society, according to Saks. “This event will clearly deepen polarization and evoke strong emotions,” he said. He also predicted a decline in serious political debate, at least in the short term, as the media dissects the incident from various angles, potentially giving rise to numerous conspiracy theories.
Media Coverage and Conspiracy Theories
Saks warned that the American media would likely explore the event from every possible angle, leading to a proliferation of conspiracy theories. He expressed skepticism about the rationality of the coverage, suggesting that the political climate in the US would become highly unstable as a result.
Trump’s Response and Biden’s Reaction
Saks noted that much would depend on Trump’s response to the incident. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has condemned the attack and is not expected to exploit the situation for political gain. “President Biden has communicated with Trump and is unlikely to rush to exploit this event,” Saks said.
Emotional Fallout Among Republicans
Saks anticipated a highly emotional reaction from Republicans in the coming weeks, though he refrained from speculating on specific events. He predicted that the atmosphere in America would become increasingly emotional.
Challenges for Secret Service
Ensuring the security of candidates at public events remains a significant challenge for the US Secret Service, according to Saks. He commended their swift response in preventing a worse outcome but acknowledged the difficulty of thwarting attacks by lone individuals acting independently.
Conclusion: Unstable Political Climate Ahead
It is expected that the attempted assassination of Donald Trump will cause a period of increased unpredictability and emotional upheaval in US politics. The focus will be on how authorities and the media manage the incident and how it affects the presidential race while the country struggles with the fallout.
