The Threat of MAGA Violence is Imminent, Regardless of November’s Election Results

Readers will know that I have long been realistic about the national security threat posed by right wing extremism. It has not only claimed thousands of lives across our nations history, the threat posed has been steadily and sharply rising since Donald Trump’s ride down his golden escalator in 2015 and through his Presidency. Now, as we face his inevitable nomination to run for the Presidency once again this year, the threat has become even more explicit and Imminent.

Many take comfort in the idea that if we can smash Trumpist fascism at the polls we can avert the overt state sponsored violence promised by Trump’s movement against immigrants, sexual minorities, and women. Think again.

Those who closely follow and study right wing extremist violence are rightly terrified by the inevitable use of the state to commit violence against Americans and immigrants here in America, it’s true. But the reality is that no matter what happens in November – even if we decisively and provably stomp the MAGA movement in a free and fair election this year – there will be blood.

The MAGA movement absolutely will not view the result of ANY election they don’t win as a legitimate, and even some who do will nonetheless seek to impose their will on fellow Americans by violent means. We must expect terrorist violence even despite a massive victory by Democrats – in some ways, BECAUSE of that victory.

The latest episode of Straight White American Jesus – an excellent podcast about Christian Nationalism that I follow… ::ahem:::… religiously – features one of my favorite long-form journalists and scholars covering the American far right, David Neiwert.

“Award-winning journalist David Neiwert — who been following the rise of these extremist groups since the late 1970s, when he was a young reporter in Idaho — explores how the movement was built over decades, how it was set aflame by Donald Trump and his cohorts, and how it will continue to attack American democracy for the foreseeable future.”

David warns America that the MAGA movement and all the right wing extremists that have been gathered into its fractious and violent big tent of American extremism, will become MUCH more dangerous following an electoral defeat this fall. The difference between victory and loss for the threat posed is merely one of scale and legitimization by the state, not lethality.

I strongly suggest a listen for a tough-love reality adjustment about what we are facing as a nation, despite what may happen in the coming election cycle.