Since October began, the rhetoric from Democratic leaders has grown dangerously reckless, crossing the line from heated disagreement into language that fuels violence. High-profile figures have accused President Donald Trump of authoritarianism, compared his administration to foreign dictatorships, and suggested America is in its worst crisis since the Civil War. Others have described him as “unhinged” and “unwell,” while warning that allies are abandoning the United States and enemies are emboldened. This isn’t healthy debate — it’s a steady stream of vitriol designed to paint opponents as evil and illegitimate. When political leaders dehumanize their rivals, unstable individuals often hear a call to action.
The accusations have escalated far beyond ordinary political criticism. Actress and activist Jane Fonda said on CNN’s Inside Politics that Trump is “amassing power in a way that will destroy our democracy.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) claimed on CNN’s OutFront that Trump “wants to go into inner city communities and shoot people.” In Virginia, a Democratic attorney general candidate even joked about shooting a Republican rather than two dictators. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said on MSNBC’s All In that America is facing “the worst crisis since the Civil War.” Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) said on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 that Trump is “unhinged and unwell,” while Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) compared Trump’s meeting with military leaders to something “Putin or Kim Jong Un would do” on CNN’s The Arena.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said on NBC’s Meet the Press that Trump was using the government shutdown to “maximize harm” and warned that if Republicans don’t stop him, “there will be nothing left of our democracy.” Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) accused ICE agents of “using Gestapo tactics” in Chicago on CBS’s Face the Nation. Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) said on CNN’s State of the Union that the Trump administration is trying to “make Chicago a war zone.” Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) said on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 that Trump is using the middle class “as a punching bag,” and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) called Trump’s actions “unhinged and unserious” on the same program.
This isn’t political theater anymore. It’s a calculated campaign to delegitimize opposition and justify extreme resistance — and it’s playing with fire. Revolutions start with words that normalize violence and make hatred seem righteous. If Democrats truly wanted to prevent political violence, they’d tone down the rhetoric. Instead, they’re pouring gasoline on the flames and daring the nation to burn. This isn’t how you “save democracy.” It’s how you destroy it from within. The call for peace, reason, and restraint has never been more urgent — and it must start with those who hold the microphone. For their tongues are as in Psalm 52:2, devising “destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.”
Sources:
Sanders: “Worst Crisis Since Civil War”
Fonda: “Destroy Our Democracy”
Virginia AG Candidate Shooting Comment
Schiff: “Democracy Won’t Survive”
Jeffries: “Unhinged and Unserious”
