This was mentioned in the Romney thread, but I think it deserves a thread of its own. Republican politicians have said they were afraid to oppose Trump publicly because it would put their family in danger. Holy crap. Think about that. Politicians fear for their family's safety, afraid of their own side of the aisle. I don't think anyone was attacked, so maybe it was all BS. But apparently the threats were there. The terrorizing style in American politics https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/09/14/romney-political-violence-republicans/
Whether it's trump threatening the well being of political opponents and their families or Dems threatening to take seats belonging to Reps both sides should be held accountable for their threats.
sad, but is this a new phenomenon? I might be making this up, but wouldn’t LBJ be in the same category, albeit a different approach of bullying to get his way? The Johnson Treatment: Pushing And Persuading Like LBJ
The point is that browbeating and political and familial danger is not new. But you made my point as well that this is a devolving nature of politics. It goes in cycles.
I'm sure most of the threats are hollow; however, collectively they can result in genuine intimidation. I'm sure that's the goal and is very similar to a lot of the civil war talk.
There is no room in leadership for cowards. I think the OP is BS. They were scared of losing their jobs.. not their family's safety. Just my opinion.
The former Twitter head of trust and safety is living in hiding to to threats led by Trump and Musk. Ex-Twitter Executive and Family Live in ‘Hiding’ With ‘Armed Guards’ After Attacks From Trump, Elon Musk
I don’t know. Did Trump explicitly threaten members of families to not vote to impeach or convict? I may have missed that in the article.
add some value to the discussion rather than just calling it silly. If I found a story about Andrew Johnson doing similar, does that mean it’s ok?
You're correct, my bad. But the LBJ story doesn't make it clear what kind of threats were used. I imagine if family safety were involved, it would say so. Given the tone of the story, it sounds like the threats involve more congressional stuff, like 'if you want my vote on that, I'll get your vote on this' or a committee assignment. Don't you think? That's a long way from a politician fearing for his family's safety.
Although to would be unlike you, you seem to be underestimating the threats from the ultra right whackos.
No worries River. I do find it fascinating that it is “welcomed” by fringes of the Right today for elected leaders to be afraid of the electorate. But, as noted by City, the likelihood is cowardice and not fear of family harm. In the 60’s it certainly was a time where political crossing was met with intimidation.