Shortly after the truck vs cyclists attack in NYC, President Trump tweeted about the incident, calling the man "sick and deranged." Combining this comment with his previous (and well-known) anti-Muslim sentiments may have exactly the wrong effect.
Clearly he thinks such attacks are perpetrated by Muslims for religious reasons—which is why he wants the US to accept no immigrants or visitors from Muslim countries. (He knows they're just too dangerous.) But labeling an Islamic attacker deranged could easily be construed as saying Islam itself is—by definition—deranged.
Such a statement might be considered radicalizing in nature.
Now Trump wants to cancel the visa program used by the NYC perpetrator seven years ago, apparently on the theory the man has been a threat from day one.
What is perfectly clear is that Trump will in no way hold himself responsible for this attack or for radicalizing the individual that did it. He absolutely rejects the idea that his strenuously-sought Muslim travel ban might be seen as an irritant to Muslim immigrants already in this country.
(Or born in this country, like the man who shot up the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.)
If Trump is determined to safeguard America from any and all attacks by Muslims, then he needs to go the whole hog: round up all Muslims already in this country and deport them. This process will have to be done in a lightning-fast move, since any hint of what's in store will likely radicalize moderate Muslims or push fence-sitters into immediate action.
Whatever happens next will be the fault of many individuals, but certainly not Trump. The man can do no ill to the country he loves, and to prove that statement he will say so on Twitter.
No one could ever hope for more than that.
No comments:
Post a Comment