It would seem that being cleared of collusion and obstruction allegations might be an opportune moment for Donald Trump to take the high road and declare an intent to move the country past the divisive politics of the last two years. Instead, Trump declared that those people who accused him were responsible for “treasonous things” and said they “will certainly be looked at.” Since I was one of those people who denounced others for alleging treason against Trump, it is disconcerting to now hear Trump himself using the same irresponsible rhetoric. Those peddling unsupported theories of criminality over the last two years were also irresponsible and reckless, but their voicing such views was not treasonous. Trump added that his critics were “evil”
Trump did not specify who he was referring to or who would be investigating his critics for treason. He simply said “There are a lot of people out there that have done some very, very evil things, very bad things. I would say treasonous things against our country. I’ve been looking at them for a long time.”
It is baffling why Trump tends to step on his own good media. Rather than basking in the findings of the Special Counsel, Trump immediately cut short the discussion with a new sensational and disturbing comment.
As with calling the media “the enemy of people,” the labeling of his critics and accusers as traitors is the signature of authoritarian countries. It was wrong for Trump’s critics and it is wrong for Trump.