The possible new assassination attempt on Sunday against Donald Trump would be the second in two months. If it is an emblematic episode of “extremely violent rhetoric and degraded public debate”, according to Corentin Sellin, historian and specialist in the United States, it is, for him, above all linked to the number of weapons in circulation in the United States.
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The alleged shooter in this probable new assassination attempt against Donald Trump, which occurred on Sunday, September 15, is called Ryan Routh and is “typical of a man who is excited and very excited online, according to his Twitter and Facebook accountsexplains Corentin Sellin, associate professor of history and specialist in the United States. But “How can we be surprised when we see millions of firearms in circulation”explains the historian, who recalls the number of weapons in circulation, “at least 20 million semi-automatic weapons of the type found by law enforcement”.
Besides, theThe press this time focused mainly on “strong tensions” between the Republican candidate’s campaign team and the famous Secret Service, responsible for protecting all the high-ranking American personalities, says Corentin Sellin. Donald Trump’s team had already questioned the government protection agency when the candidate had his first brush with death in July, And claimed “much more resources”. These means “certainly granted after the first assassination attempt” “still appeared insufficient”, describes the historian. Le Secret Service speaking of a “client impossible to protect” and too often “uncovered”.
Is the protection of this extraordinary candidate possible in the climate of violence that reigns in this campaign? For the US specialist, even if this type of event forces their Democratic opponents to adopt a “conciliatory posture”, “sending their best thoughts” saying that “political violence had no place”,“We know on both sides that once the event has passed, we will return to extremely violent rhetoric and an extremely degraded public debate during this campaign.”
After the first assassination attempt on him in July, the outpouring of sympathy “good natural” that was able to raise Donald Trump in the polls was short-lived, recalls Corentin Sellin. The candidate did not hold a unifying speech for long: “Donald Trump tried, a little bit, it lasted a week and he returned to an extremely polarizing and divisive speech. He himself admitted that it was neither his style nor his role,” he concludes.