Last Sunday, a man was arrested for illegal possession of a shotgun and loaded handgun at an intersection near former president Donald Trump’s rally in Coachella, California.
The man, later identified as Vem Miller, was driving a black SUV when he was stopped by police officers at a security checkpoint, who then discovered the firearms in the vehicle and took him into custody. However, he was released on the same day, claiming he was a Trump supporter and did not intend to harm the presidential candidate. According to The Guardian, Miller stated “This is a man I deeply admire”, when asked about the former President. After the incident, Riverside authorities revealed that no one at the rally was harmed and that Trump was not facing any immediate danger. Despite this, the incident has caused panic in the United States, with people throughout the country fearing the consequences of the upcoming presidential elections and their aftermath.
The most significant cause of panic, however, is the surge in violence that has been brought about recently due to the massive divide between republican and democrat supporters; with values and ideologies that strongly differ in matters such as healthcare, economic policy, climate change and social justice, partisans and the country alike have become more starkly divided, which has recently manifested into violent acts. An example of one such act was the storming of the capitol on January 6th, when a mob of Donald Trump supporters breached the capitol building in Washington, D.C as Congress was certifying the Electoral College results of the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden. Claiming “voter fraud”, the mob overwhelmed security forces, broke windows, and stormed the building, forcing government officials to promptly evacuate. This event highlights the deep political division occurring in the United States, raising numerous concerns.
As a country built on principles such as Democracy and solidarity, the widespread panic of the American people is self-explanatory. A recent poll conducted by the American psychology association (APA) shows that 77% of American adults are showing signs of stress relating to the future of the nation; a nation that is now in political turmoil. This state of panic is exacerbated by social media induced challenges and misinformation, making constructive dialogue a challenge. Events such as Miller’s arrest serves as a reminder of the fragility of political safety in the States, and how people’s heightened emotions during this time can lead to crisis. Despite offering reassurance to reporters about Trump’s wellbeing, Riverside County sheriff Chad Bianco told ABC he felt as if the officers who arrested him could have potentially prevented a “third assassination attempt”, a testament to how even law enforcement officers are anxious about the country’s current state. As things stand, the future of the nation’s political standing is uncertain, and could potentially end in a reenactment of the events of January the 6th.
Featured Image courtesy of AFP via Getty Images
