Domestic Terrorism

What should have been a joyful moment turned into an horrific one on Saturday, when a Hanukkah celebration in New York became a stabbing attack in which five were injured.

Full disclosure - the rest of this post aspires to being more than just another effort at Trump-bashing on my part.  It hopes to understand Trump's hold on the base of the Republican Party, and to remind that base of the Be careful what you wish for, Ensign - you may get it  eidolon.

In August, shortly after mass shootings in Texas and Ohio, Mr. Trump did his Janus thing.  He vowed to give Federal law enforcement all the tools needed to combat hate crimes and domestic terrorism.  Then, his Department of Homeland Security persisted in directing resources away from combating far-right and white-supremacist groups.  And there's more.  Courts are beginning to see what's being called the Trump defense in domestic terrorism cases, and in less weighty suits as well.   It's seen as a motive for anyone who'd like  to intimidate those he (or she, but that latter is unlikely - most crimes of violence are committed by males)  perceives as Trump's enemies.

Here's why I feel Trump-bashing is justified.  I agree with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D - CA  16th) that Mr. Trump may unintentionally have contributed to an increase in anti-Semitism.