I’ve lived under seven presidents. Never, ever, did I believe I would not feel safe going to an event hosted by a Republican president—until Trump came along. It’s not just because of race, though as a 6-2, 220-230 pound black man, I might as well have a target on my back at a Trump rally. It’s because of a general sense, supported by ample public evidence, that this man has no regard for others’ safety. Witness his plastering of Jorge Ramos’ private cell phone, and his willingness to condone violence at his rallies.
Trump’s inexcusable—and to my mind, borderline criminal—decision to disclose Nancy Pelosi’s fact-finding trip to Afghanistan provided a sobering reminder of why I don’t feel safe with this so-called president. At risk of sounding like a broken record—even if you accept Trump’s argument that Pelosi needed to be in Washington to find a way forward to end the shutdown, there was a reason the travel plans of her delegation were kept secret. You do not disclose in advance that VIPs are traveling to a war zone.
Pelosi had every intention of flying commercial after Trump yanked her government plane. But when State Department officials advised that things on the ground got hairy specifically because of Trump’s disclosure, Pelosi opted to return home. As many of you saw, when Pelosi spoke with reporters, she was visibly shaken. Watch here.
Watching Pelosi’s emotional comments only stirred up the cold fear already building in me. After all, it should send a chill down anyone’s spine to think that we have a president so willing to settle scores that he is willing to throw caution and the safety of lawmakers, support personnel and troops to the winds.
That’s why I was dumbfounded when black deplorable blogger Wayne Dupree tut-tutted that Pelosi “looked bad” in that interview. As I noted in a rebuttal at RDTDaily, the last thing that a 17-term incumbent who has served under six presidents should have to worry about is that a president, regardless of party, would behave in such a reckless manner.
Dupree is best known as one of the more obnoxious Sandy Hook and Parkland truthers. But even allowing for that, if he believes Pelosi has no right to be emotional over Trump recklessly putting her safety in danger, he has no soul, heart or conscience—just like his dear one.
Trump is coming to Charlotte for the GOP Convention in 2020. That thought was unnerving enough. But knowing that his desire to settle scores means he is willing to throw others’ safety to the winds is even more so.