An open letter to the U.S. Congress

Language & Rhetoric That Incites: Hold Trump Accountable Now!

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Below are examples of Donald Trump’s dehumanizing, inflammatory, and dangerous rhetoric. These statements aren’t harmless. They’ve fueled real-world violence, justified attacks on fellow Americans, and normalized threats against democratic institutions. — “They’re bringing crime. They’re bringing drugs. They’re rapists.” - July 6, 2015 — “Knock the crap out of ’em, would you?” - February 1, 2016 — “If [Hillary] gets to pick her judges… maybe there is [Second Amendment action]. I don’t know.” - August 9, 2016 - “Pour into and infest our country” - June 19, 2018 - Privately asked, “Can’t you just shoot them in the legs or something?” about migrants - June 2020 — “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.” - May 29, 2020 — “Poisoning the blood of our country” - December 2023 — “Scum” comment targeting dissenters - June 15, 2025 — “Invasion of our country” rhetoric about immigration - January 19, 2025 — Threatened to use “very big force” against protesters - June 2025 — Suggested arresting California Governor Gavin Newsom - June 2025 — “Radical left lunatics” - Repeated throughout 2025 — “Traitors” used to describe Democratic lawmakers - 2025 — Accused Democrats of “cheating in elections” and trying to “destroy our inner cities” - June 2025 — “REAL Americans” cheer ICE on while Democrats “hate our country” - June 15, 2025 (Truth Social post) This rhetoric emboldens extremists and erodes the norms that protect all Americans. When a president dehumanizes nearly half the country and encourages violence, either implicitly or explicitly, it becomes more than politics. It becomes a threat to our democracy. We urge Congress and all elected officials to reject this language publicly, hold hearings on the political weaponization of federal power, and pass bipartisan safeguards to protect against incitement and abuse. Words have consequences. And so should those who speak them.

▶ Created on June 22 by Accountability Starts Now

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