Is the United States broken? Has our country finally succumbed to hatred and animosity? Just over the past two weeks, there has been a nationwide occurrence of pipe bombs that were targeted at several influential Democrats, liberal celebrities, and organizations who have been disdainful of Donald Trump and his administration. It sickens me to no end, how American politics and ideologies have divided the country to the point of no return. This pipe bomb incident shows how political ideology can be used as a method to attack people’s identities and threaten people’s lives. What makes this incident so appalling and unprecedented is its emphasis on a heightened animosity towards the left wing. The pipe bomb incident demonstrates how the desire for power, revenge, and absolutism can define the current climate of the United States.
Some of the many people who were targets of pipe bomb packages include Eric Holder, James Clapper, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and even Barack Obama. These are not just your average Democrats, but established politicians who have made a significant impact on American politics and history. Despite all the pipe bombs having been collected by federal, state, and municipal investigators, a nationwide investigation has apparently begun. As William K. Rashbaum, Alan Feuer, and Adam Goldman write, the “continuing wave of bombs has prompted an intense nationwide investigation into whether Trump’s critics or others vilified by the right are being targeted.” We will see where this nationwide investigation will accomplish, but I fail to believe that the current division in American politics will subside.
In recent news, this past Friday 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc was arrested by authorities in Miami and charged for sending out some of these pipe bombs to prominent Democrats and liberals. In fact, he was suspected of sending a total of 13 explosive devices to Democrats and liberals, in the hopes of possibly “getting attention.” With his van covered in pro-Trump stickers and propaganda, it has been revealed that Sayoc was an emphatic conservative who has written hateful statements against figures including liberal billionaire George Soros, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton. As more reports are coming, there have been interesting statements that have been made by people who know Sayoc. For example, Ronald Lowy, an attorney who has represented Sayoc’s family for years, said that Sayoc, “…lives in a fantasy. I have no doubt he’s mentally ill.” Lawyer David McDonald, who specifically interrogated Sayoc for a period of time, described Sayoc as “maybe delusional.”
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” so said John F. Kennedy. While America claims that its citizens exercise life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we can see a clear contradiction that not all people are treated equally. The pipe bomb attacks show a pattern of deliberate hatred and menacing acts towards a particular ideological group who were perceived as enemies to the country. Regardless of what the intention was, this has been an act of not only calculated hostility but also may be an attempt at political retribution. While these Democrats are willing to serve and dedicate themselves in the United States, there are those willing to do whatever it takes to destroy them. Now the only question that I can ask is: is it too late to stop the destruction of American politics?
