Former President Donald Trump’s recent remarks, where he suggested a “real rough, nasty, and violent day” to curb crime immediately, have sparked considerable debate. While a campaign official clarified that Trump was “clearly just floating it in jest,” the Left has predictably seized on these comments to portray Trump as a dangerous provocateur who promotes violence. However, the reaction from the Left—especially in light of its own divisive rhetoric and policies—highlights a glaring hypocrisy.

Law, Order, and Justice in a Biblical Context

The issue of crime is not merely a political talking point but a moral imperative rooted in biblical values. The Bible clearly teaches that civil authorities are divinely ordained to maintain order and execute justice. Romans 13:4 says that rulers do not bear the sword in vain, but are God’s servants to execute wrath on wrongdoers. In an era where crime rates are rising in many urban centers, it is not unreasonable to seek decisive actions that protect the innocent and punish the guilty.

President Trump’s statement may have been extreme in its rhetoric, but his underlying point is one that resonates with many Americans who are tired of seeing lawlessness prevail in their communities. Crime, violence, and lawlessness are not abstract issues. They affect real people—families, children, and the vulnerable—who deserve to live in peace and safety.

In this context, Trump’s call for a swift and forceful response to crime taps into a desire for strong leadership, much like the biblical King David, who acted decisively to protect his people from threats both external and internal. While no Christian would condone unchecked violence, the principle of enforcing law and order through strong and immediate action is biblical and just.

The Left’s Double Standards on Violent Rhetoric

The irony is that the Left, which is so quick to condemn Trump’s remarks, has long been complicit in fostering a culture of violence and division through its own inflammatory rhetoric. When a disturbed young man attempted to assassinate Trump at a rally, Trump’s allies pointed to the incessant demonization of Trump by Democrats and the mainstream media as a potential contributing factor. The Left’s unchecked hostility toward conservatives, framed as “resistance” or “fighting fascism,” has often led to real violence, as seen in the riots that plagued cities during the summer of 2020.

Furthermore, the hypocrisy is clear when figures like Eric Trump or House Speaker Mike Johnson call for calm and de-escalation, yet the media largely ignores these pleas in favor of amplifying the most incendiary moments. Meanwhile, as Paul Waldman from MSNBC suggests, Trump’s opponents argue that his “apocalyptic” warnings about the future under Democrat leadership incite violence.

But this argument misses a crucial point. Trump’s rhetoric, while bold and sometimes hyperbolic, reflects a genuine concern shared by many Americans about the direction in which the country is headed. The degradation of morality, the erosion of law and order, and the disintegration of traditional family values under leftist policies are not mere political talking points—they are real and present dangers that, if left unchecked, could lead to societal collapse. It is this concern that Trump articulates, and it is why so many people feel that the stakes in this election are so high.

Responding to Crime: A Christian Duty to Act

Seeking peace and justice is not optional—it is our duty. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Being bold in the face of evil, including rampant crime, is not wrong; it is righteous. President Trump, in calling for a strong response to crime, may not have chosen the gentlest words, but the substance of his message—that crime must be eradicated swiftly and decisively—is something that aligns with biblical principles of justice.

The Left’s reluctance to take decisive action against crime, combined with its own divisive rhetoric, only emboldens those who seek to harm our communities. Their selective outrage over Trump’s comments, while ignoring or excusing their own role in fomenting unrest, exposes a double standard. They accuse Trump of inciting violence while refusing to address the violence that has erupted from the very policies they promote—such as defunding the police, reducing criminal penalties, and supporting movements that call for the abolition of law enforcement altogether.

Conclusion

We must balance a desire for justice with a commitment to peace. Yet peace without justice is no peace at all. Trump’s remarks, while blunt, reflect a legitimate concern about the state of law and order in our country. The Bible calls for strong, just leadership, and it is not wrong to demand that our leaders act decisively to protect the innocent from harm.

The Left’s outrage over Trump’s rhetoric rings hollow in light of their own inflammatory language and policies that have weakened our nation’s moral and social fabric. Rather than vilifying Trump, perhaps it’s time for the Left to take a long, hard look in the mirror and recognize their own complicity in the escalating violence and division in our country.