Donald Trump was victim, not perpetrator, of 'attack on democracy'

Trump was victim, not perpetrator, of ‘attack on democracy’

For years the left has attacked Donald Trump by blaming the events of Jan. 6, 2021, on him and saying they were "an attack on our democracy," so I find it rather odd that the Des Moines Register would choose to use that phrase as the headline of the front-page article on the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

Tim VanderPloeg, Altoona

Violence defines the United States

Please explain what violence is acceptable (unlike, apparently, “political”). We are the largest spenders and users in the world of military might and heedlessly engage our youth in kill or be killed mentality via said military. And we’re surprised? Come on, folks, get a clue.

John Wiedemeier, Polk City

Reject MAGA and its commitment to violence

We all deserve to live our lives, move through our communities, and engage in our political process peacefully — whether we are running for office or running through a school hallway or going to the grocery store. No matter our background, ZIP code, or political party, most of us believe that violence has no place in our political process and weapons of war have no place in our communities.

Voters in this election have a chance to reject a MAGA movement that feeds, grows off and promises more violence, and choose instead a country where no one fears for our lives or our loved ones. A country where we ban weapons of war so they’re not used against elementary schoolers or politicians, moviegoers or concert attendees. A country where the people who represent us respect our freedoms — to live without fear of gun violence, to cast our votes and have them counted, and to decide for ourselves what our futures will hold.

Patricia Bowen, Iowa City

News media and Democrat called Trump evil, and this is the result

The Des Moines Register, the leftist corporate media, and Democratic Party leadership are responsible for the demonizing of President Donald Trump.

Many media personalities, Democrat politicians, and educators have compared him to Hitler. Is it any wonder that a 20-year-old tried to kill Trump?

Stop the hate speech.

Russell Dorsey, Altoona

Everybody loses when politics gets violent

The shooting in Pennsylvania on July 13 is a sad point in the political life of this country. If elections become violent, everyone loses and our democracy disappears.

Don Daniels, Altoona

Shooting is terrible; adulation in response might be worse

Two thoughts about the Donald Trump shooting in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Both are shameful.

First, one should be free to engage in a political campaign without being intimidated, threatened or, certainly, shot. This should go without discussion. Second, Donald Trump will now, I believe, ask, expect and probably receive martyrdom from his supporters. He has previously compared himself with Nelson Mandela and even hinted a parallel to Jesus of Nazareth. This shooting may be a bigger boost to Trump than Joe Biden's disastrous debate and the recent Supreme Court decision affirming the president's official immunity.

Again, two shames. I am not certain which is the more shameful.

Michael McMurry, Ankeny

More: Gen Z is watching political violence escalate in America. I'm worried for us.

Give Donald Trump a Purple Heart. I'm a recipient, and he's earned it, too.

Former President Donald Trump was wounded by an enemy shooter of the United States. He was wounded while running for president and defending our country and democracy.

He exceeded both requirements for earning the Purple Heart medal, one of our country’s most prestigious awards. The U.S. Congress should award him one, in my opinion.

After being wounded, he still showed grit and determination in his bid to lead our nation once again.

As a Purple Heart recipient myself, I say award him the medal.

He deserves it.

Tony A. Powers, West Des Moines

More: Trump could have died. Republicans have one job at RNC in Milwaukee: Unite the country.

We sow discord, and this is the result

My grandmother taught me at a very young age that a person will always reap what they sow and that I should keep that in mind as I lived my life.

It seems to me that this would be a good lesson for everyone to follow now in light of where the rhetoric is heading in this country today. Politicians and many leaders today spend more time and energy telling us what is wrong with the other side rather than telling us what they would do to make our lives better. Many politicians seem to feel that the "rule of law" does not apply to them and they can say and do whatever they want. They constantly lie and misrepresent the facts. They divide us rather than try and bring us together, they preach hate for each other rather than compassion, they push violence rather than tolerance and inclusion.

And then when unspeakable violence breaks out at a political rally, some of these politicians and others rush to blame the other side with no basis in fact, which only inflames the hate and division that is becoming so common and which will ultimately yield to more violence. Hate begets hate and violence begets violence. Heaven help us, please!

Duane Mortensen, Ankeny

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Give Donald Trump a Purple Heart after assassination attempt