Several Democratic lawmakers have made it clear that they will continue referring to Donald Trump as a “threat to democracy,” even after the former president has been the target of two recent assassination attempts. This comes as a recent poll revealed that 28% of Democrats believe the country would be better off if Trump were dead.
Fox News correspondent Hillary Vaughn questioned several Democratic lawmakers in the Capitol following the second assassination attempt by Ryan Routh. When asked if they would stop labeling Trump a threat to democracy, all declined and stood by their statements.
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) responded directly, saying, “No, uh, the fact of the matter is that he is a threat to democracy.” Similarly, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) echoed the sentiment, stating, “No, I think that we should be clear that he is a threat to democracy.” When pressed about whether the rhetoric should be toned down, Jayapal replied, “I think [Trump’s] rhetoric should be toned down.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) also stuck to the same point, saying, “These are the facts. He is a threat. Period. Point-blank.”
Following the second assassination attempt, Trump’s campaign released a compilation of statements from top Democrats who have labeled him a “threat to democracy.” The list includes quotes from President Joe Biden calling Trump an “existential threat” and a “threat to our democracy and fundamental freedoms.” Vice President Kamala Harris has made similar remarks during her 2024 campaign and previously joked about killing Trump in a 2018 interview.