This is Donald Trump's America.
The fact that I wasn't completely rattled, that I wasn't gripped by utter disbelief, says everything about the political climate Trump has created: a climate where violence festers, where conspiracy theories are gospel, and where the so-called enemy within is hunted like vermin.
A Cult, Not a Political Party
This isn't about Republicans versus Democrats. Reasonable people on both sides stand against political violence. But what we're facing now is a cult, one that thrives on lies, paranoia, and the glorification of extremism.
Donald Trump has given his followers something to fight for: a war against shadows. To them, we aren't fellow citizens with differing views. We're the radical left lunatics, the enemy from within, the ones who must be rooted out. When you feed people that poison day after day, when you tell them their way of life is under siege by some imaginary force, this is what happens.
The Blood Is on Trump's Hands
Look at the pattern.
On January 6th, Trump sent his followers to the Capitol, called them patriots, and then pardoned the violent criminals among them.
Every manifesto, every act of political violence, traces back to the same rhetoric: Trump's.
They tell us to turn down the temperature while Trump fans the flames.
Even the man who took a shot at Trump was drunk on his Kool-Aid. That's how deep this sickness runs.
A Country on the Edge
I've received more death threats since Trump's election than ever before. I carry a weapon now, something I never did, even playing music in the roughest bars. That's the America we live in.
But here's the truth: We cannot back down.
Governor Tim Walls said it best: Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. But democracy doesn't stand a chance when one side refuses to engage in good faith, when they'd rather spin conspiracy theories than face facts.
The Fight Ahead
To those who say we should turn down the temperature, I say this: Go tell Donald Trump.
We didn't create this chaos. We didn't call for violence. We didn't make heroes out of criminals. That's all on him.
My heart breaks for Minnesota. My heart breaks for this country. But I refuse to be shocked anymore. Because as long as Trump's cult runs wild, as long as his lies go unchecked, this violence will keep coming.
We are on the right side of history. And we will keep fighting.
But don't blame us for the fire.
Blame the man who lit the match.