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Political violence in America has become so routine that we barely flinch anymore. But what happened Wednesday afternoon outside a home in Escondido, California should give every American pause regardless of their politics.
A 69-year-old man was critically injured in a bloody attack outside his own property, a home locals have nicknamed the “Trump House” for its prominent displays of American flags and pro-Trump banners. The suspect, 32-year-old Thomas Caleb Butler who reportedly lives around the corner from the victim, now faces attempted murder charges.
The details are grim. Police responded around 2:15 PM to find the elderly homeowner suffering from significant injuries. A good Samaritan who tried to intervene was also hurt. Video from the scene shows blood on the driveway and evidence markers placed by investigators.
This wasn’t a political debate gone wrong. According to witness accounts and video evidence, this was a brutal assault that nearly killed a man for the apparent crime of displaying the wrong political symbols on his own property. Some neighbors have complained about the homeowner’s displays for years, but since when does aesthetic disagreement justify violence?
The suspect fled on foot but was apprehended about half a mile away. He’s now sitting in the Vista Detention Facility while his victim fights for his life in critical condition.
We keep being told that political violence is unacceptable, that democracy requires peaceful disagreement, that we can disagree without being disagreeable. And yet here we are, with another American in the hospital because someone decided that the wrong yard signs were a capital offense. When did we become a country where flying an American flag and supporting a president makes you a target?
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