Trump’s legacy of cruelty and callousness on full display after assassination of Minnesota lawmaker and her husband

Politicians can inspire people. That is among the chief assets of a president.

George Washington displayed courage under fire and true leadership in office. He was not driven by ambition, but by a commitment to service. We are so fortunate he was our first president.

Abraham Lincoln grew remarkably in office. He united the nation by winning a terrible war, and was unwilling to allow the evil forces of slavery, racism and hate triumph. Lincoln was dedicated to restoring the nation, but he also came to understand the vital importance of ending slavery.

Theodore Roosevelt was born to wealth and privilege in New York City, but he became a fervent advocate of the environment, in large part because of the time he spent in Dakota Territory. TR was a central figure in an effort to protect and treasure our precious natural resources, and he used the bully pulpit to do lasting good.

FDR provided courage and good humor at a time when the nation was desperate for both. He led the country through the Great Depression and World War II, and his humor, jaunty smile and positive outlook — his “first-class temperament” despite great personal difficulties — were major reasons for his unprecedented success.

JFK challenged Americans to ask not about their own needs, but to serve others, to create a better nation by carving out a New Frontier of a more diverse, open and progressive society. President Kennedy had many weaknesses and flaws, and stumbled during his life and career, but he tried to give people a reason to commit and care.

Jimmy Carter preached love and compassion for all, and displayed his sense of kindness and decency before, during and after his presidency. He was not perfect, but he may well have been the best man to ever hold the office.

Bill Clinton, a brilliant, complicated man who may have reached the top too early in his life, offered Hope. 

Barack Obama, a genuinely intelligent and caring man, challenged us to dream of a country where talent and intelligence topped ignorance and hate. 

Joe Biden tried to repair damage and calm stormy waters by reaching out to Republicans whom he hoped cared more for their nation than placating Trump.

What legacy will Donald Trump leave?

He has built one of hatred, anger, greed and cruelty. That was at the core of the man before he took office, and it has only deepened during his decade dominating the political world.

His behavior in the wake of the murder of a Minnesota state legislator and her husband, and the attempted murder of another legislator and his wife, has displayed his callous, cruel nature once again.

Trump refused to call Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, instead using the opportunity to bash and attack Walz. Yes, Walz sharply criticized Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign when he was the Democratic candidate for vice president, but this is not the heat of an election.

This was about simple human decency, and as Trump has shown repeatedly, he is in short supply of that. Instead, he relishes in insults and sneers. It’s the behavior of a schoolyard bully, and that is Trump at his core.

His hateful mob got the message. They have floated ugly rumors about Democrats plotting to kill former speaker Melissa Hortman over a vote, and tried to tie Walz to the shooter because he reappointed him to a minor state board.

They are outrageous lies, made all the worse by the timing. But that’s the Trump message — always attack. Always be aggressive. Cruelty and viciousness are tough and manly.

Trump skipped a joint funeral for Hortman and her husband Mark on Saturday. It was a sad, solemn and sacred occasion, not a place for grandstanding and posing with his thumb up. Former President Joe Biden and former VP Kamala Harris attended, of course. They are decent, caring people who sought to ease the pain of others.

So, of course, Trump played golf instead.

I attended the funerals of Bill Janklow, George McGovern and Tim Johnson, a Republican and two Democrats. All three services were attended by prominent members of both parties, and the quiet talks between the politicians was friendly and warm. That’s how decent people act.

The online reaction to the murders has mostly registered sadness, shock and disgust with the growing violence in our political culture. I have read countless posts on multiple platforms and most people expressed their sympathies to the families and support for them.

Except for Trumpers. They have lobbed insults at Walz, bashed Democrats and shown a complete lack of compassion for the murder victims and their loved ones.

They learned their lesson well. Hate rules. Kindness is weak. Cruelty is always the best response.

That is Trump’s legacy.

Fourth-generation South Dakotan Tom Lawrence has written for several newspapers and websites in South Dakota and other states for four decades. He has contributed to The New York Times, NPR, The London Telegraph, The Daily Beast and other media outlets. Do not republish without permission.

Photo: public domain, wikimedia commons

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