In Donald Trump’s America, it seems that whenever there is a tragedy that could be tied in any way to an immigrant (like the death of Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson in a fatal accident on Sunday) the President is eager to jump in to damn immigrants in general. He tweeted: “This is just one of many such preventable tragedies. We must get the Dems to get tough on the Border, and with illegal immigration, FAST!” Never mind that there is no mention of everytime an immigrant starts a business, or saves a life, or fights for our nation on the battlefield.
And what about when our children are repeatedly killed in our schools by gun violence, or when there are hate crimes by white supremacists, then the President almost always is silent as well. I guess in his mind, that’s just the way things are?
The rank hypocrisy of this is a stench that stretches over our great land. It does nothing to prioritize the real threats that face our country. It is about scapegoating and it is in line with some of the most destructive instincts of humanity.
To use tragedy to sow division is the hallmark of a despot. And I think most Americans will see it for what it is.