Ret. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman joined those expressing outrage this weekend at former President Donald Trump going on a rant against American Jews.
Even after well over four years in the public spotlight, Trump is still wheeling out new ways to startle observers and endanger vulnerable Americans. In short, Trump complained that American Jews supposedly just aren’t getting it when it comes to how much he has ostensibly done for them (arguments he centered on his support for Israel). Among numerous other issues, like Trump’s insistence Jews in the U.S. need to “get their act together,” it’s just ridiculous to lump the entirety of U.S. Jews into the same group. Additionally, the Capitol riot and other incidents have proven there are numerous individuals willing to turn even Trump’s most ridiculous rhetoric into violent action. What if he returns to this line of commentary at one of his upcoming rallies? There are no doubt many Americans who have firmly established themselves far into the Trump cult, accepting what seems like just about anything he says, and could also accept this.
Besides complaining about Jews in general, Trump also distinguished U.S. Jews from those living in Israel, the latter of whom he more positively characterized. “Fascist evil! You are attempting to isolate Jews, so that they can [be] more easily attacked by your cult,” Vindman remarked. “If there was any remaining support from the jewish community, this is a warning to them. You are a coward. You want a fight. You have one. I’ll help learn you! @SenateGOP @HouseGOP This goon is trying to shakedown the jewish community. Do you have anything to say about that? Where is the rage against this dangerous [anti-Semitic] diatribe?” If Trump said Jews didn’t belong in the U.S. at all because of their imaginary lack of appreciation for what he’s supposedly done for their community, would that lead to outrage from Republican leaders? Is there anything that could do so?
Vindman himself is Jewish. Apart from Trump’s personal character, he ha repeatedly offered what amounts to acceptance for the Capitol riot, in which a raging mob of his supporters violently attacked police and sought the deaths of some in government. He has undercut NATO, a cross-Atlantic military alliance providing the bulk of what’s known as the Western world’s defense against aggression from Russia and elsewhere. At a rally, he claimed he told a fellow world leader involved in the alliance the U.S. under his leadership as president wouldn’t come to their defense as required under the terms of the alliance if they were attacked by Russia but had lingering costs tied to the coalition. There’s a green light for Russia! Republicans mostly remain with him.
“Trump is executing the fascist playbook to turn his mob on Jews,” Vindman added. “Too often, media lets statements like this be forgotten. Sometimes it doesn’t even break through the news cycle. Most of the time, GOP isn’t pinned down to tell people if they agree. It CANNOT happen this time.”
Fascist evil! You are attempting to isolate Jews, so that they can me more easily attacked by your cult. If there was any remaining support from the jewish community, this is a warning to them. You are a coward. You want a fight. You have one. I'll help learn you! pic.twitter.com/vTFeWhZVSn
— Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) October 16, 2022
Trump is executing the fascist playbook to turn his mob on Jews.
Too often, media lets statements like this be forgotten. Sometimes it doesn't even break through the news cycle. Most of the time, GOP isn't pinned down to tell people if they agree.
It CANNOT happen this time. pic.twitter.com/JqW5nHtFln
— Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) October 16, 2022
