Secretary of Commerce Gives Comments During Interview On Morning Joe
Despite two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, the rhetoric from the left continues to cross dangerous lines. The latest example came from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo during an interview on MSNBC's Morning Joe.
Hosted by Mika Brzezinski, the conversation covered a range of topics, including the upcoming election, the Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, and the possibility of Trump’s return to office in 2024. However, things took a troubling turn when Raimondo, in a rant about Trump, let loose a comment that left even her supporters on edge.
Discussing Trump’s recent remarks at a rally in Indiana, where he vowed to be a "protector" of women, Raimondo couldn’t resist launching into pro-abortion rhetoric, championing her time as Rhode Island governor, where she boasted about making access to abortion easier. But then she went a step further, delivering a statement that left viewers stunned: “Let’s extinguish [Trump] for good.”
This comment was so reckless that even MSNBC’s typically left-leaning host, Mika Brzezinski, had to step in and run damage control. Realizing the dangerous implications of the word "extinguish," Brzezinski quickly interjected, asking Raimondo, “And extinguish, you mean vote him out?”
In that split second, viewers could see Raimondo’s realization that she had just made a monumental gaffe. Grateful for the lifeline, she hastily backtracked, agreeing, “Yes, absolutely. Vote him out. Banish him from American politics.” But the damage was already done. It’s one thing to oppose a political candidate; it’s another to use language so inflammatory that it echoes violent undertones, especially in a climate where Trump has already been the target of assassination attempts.
What’s even more shocking is that Raimondo, a senior member of President Biden’s administration, would make such a reckless statement. This is an administration that has called for “lowering the temperature” in political discourse, particularly after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Yet here we have a cabinet official using language that only stokes the flames of division. Is this what Biden meant by “lowering the temperature”? Clearly, Raimondo didn’t get the memo.
While Brzezinski was quick to save Raimondo from herself, it’s impossible to ignore the weight of such careless rhetoric. Raimondo’s comment—on a platform watched by millions—reveals not only her disregard for Trump’s safety but also a broader problem within certain circles of the left: the inability to separate political opposition from outright hostility.
As much as Raimondo tried to recover, her words speak to a deeper, more troubling sentiment that some within the Democratic Party can’t seem to shake. In the wake of actual violence and attempts on Trump’s life, this kind of language is not only irresponsible but dangerous. Political opposition is part of the democratic process, but when that opposition crosses into the territory of dehumanization or, in this case, alludes to violence, it shows a shocking disregard for the principles of civil discourse.
It remains to be seen whether Raimondo will face any real consequences for her remarks. Given the left-leaning slant of MSNBC, it’s unlikely she will face much blowback from her supporters. But one thing is clear: Biden’s administration, if it’s serious about cooling down the rhetoric, should start by looking at its own members. If they can’t manage to avoid violent language on national television, how can they expect to lead the country out of its current state of political tension?