CNN Commentator Straight Up Asks if Trump Will ‘Outlaw the Democratic Party’
CNN commentator Jamal Simmons said he is “absolutely” concerned about President Donald Trump potentially outlawing the Democratic Party.
Several Trump administration officials have ratcheted up their attacks on Democrats since the assassination of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk last week at Utah Valley University. Police have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with the shooting, which Utah Governor Spencer Cox claimed was driven by Robinson’s political views, though he has declined to provide any details. Police, meanwhile, have yet to disclose a motive.
Conservatives have blamed the assassination on liberals because some of them have criticized Kirk’s commentary over the years.
Simmons appeared on Monday’s edition of The Source on CNN, where Kaitlan Collins pointed to some remarks by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) earlier in the day.
“There was a vigil in Washington last night for Charlie Kirk,” she noted. “Speaker Johnson was told today that there was a count that fewer than a dozen Democrats were present at that. He responded, saying, ‘I’m glad it was bipartisan. I wish more had participated. I’m not sure why they didn’t. So, I don’t know what else we could do.’ I should note Trump did not go to that, that vigil. But do you think that more, more Democrats should’ve gone?”
“I think Democrats have to make that decision for themselves whether or not to go,” Simmons, an ex-communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris, replied. “I don’t think that we should interpret giving people time to grieve for Charlie Kirk with saying people ought to be supportive of Charlie Kirk. They can have a very vehement disagreement with who he was or what he stood for.”
Simmons went on to express concern over remarks by Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller for calling the Democratic Party “an extremist organization,” which Miller did a week before Kirk’s killing. On Monday, Miller said the administration will “dismantle” left-wing groups.
“So the question arises in my mind, is the president of the United States gonna outlaw the Democratic Party? Is that where we’re headed? Is the president of the United States gonna unleash the Justice Department on the Democratic Party?”
“Is that your concern?” Collins asked.
“It’s absolutely a concern!” Simmons replied. “This president has shown that he’s willing to use the Department of Justice to go after his political enemies. He said that pretty much openly. And now his deputy chief of staff, who’s really the policy director at the White House, is calling the Democratic Party an extremist organization.”
Watch above via CNN.
