What we saw on Saturday was the predictable result of the casual deployment of violent rhetoric that has become commonplace. This type of language has been an ongoing problem in American political life for a while. Violent language is like an invasive species. It’s introduced because someone thinks it will benefit them, but it rapidly takes over the environment and the person who did it loses control.

When a politician puts it out there that violence is ok they aren’t just giving permission to their supporters - everyone hears it and they lose control of the intention (which is usually to sound strong or tough). Worse still, once the language becomes commonplace, people will just make threats or say violent things and not even think about the actual ramification. I’ve had to deal with threats and coded language, and most people immediately backtrack when called out - but not all will.