--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A Rationale for Violence At first, I…" description: "\"“A Rationale for Violence At first, I thought I was merely witnessing the shocked aftermath of a shocking election. The Left did not expect Trump to wi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/dinesh-d-souza-2242_civil-war_a-rationale-for-violence-at-first-i-thou_2636846.jpg" --- # A Rationale for Violence At first, I thought I was merely… ![“A Rationale for Violence At first, I thought I was merely witnessing the shocked aftermath of a shocking election. The Left did not expect Trump to win. As late as October 20, 2016, the American Prospect published an article, “Trump No Longer Really Running for President,” the theme of which was…” quote by Dinesh D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/dinesh-d-souza-2242_civil-war_a-rationale-for-violence-at-first-i-thou_2636846.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/dinesh-d-souza-2242_civil-war_a-rationale-for-violence-at-first-i-thou_2636846.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/dinesh-d-souza-2242_civil-war_a-rationale-for-violence-at-first-i-thou_2636846.jpg) > ““A Rationale for Violence At first, I thought I was merely witnessing the shocked aftermath of a shocking election. The Left did not expect Trump to win. As late as October 20, 2016, the American Prospect published an article, “Trump No Longer Really Running for President,” the theme of which was that Trump’s “real political goal is to make it impossible for Hillary Clinton to govern.” The election result was, in the words of columnist David Brooks, “the greatest shock of our lifetimes.”25 Trump won against virtually insurmountable odds, which included the mainstream media openly campaigning for Hillary and a civil war within the GOP with the entire intellectual wing of the conservative movement refusing to support him. Initially I interpreted the Left’s violent upheaval as a stunned, heat-of-the-moment response to the biggest come-from-behind victory in U.S. political history. Then I saw two things that made me realize I was wrong. First, the violence did not go away. There were the violent “Not My President’s Day” rallies across the country in February; the violent March 4 disruptions of Trump rallies in California, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Florida; the April anti-Trump tax rallies, supposedly aimed at forcing Trump to release his tax returns; the July impeachment rallies, seeking to build momentum for Trump’s removal from office; and the multiple eruptions at Berkeley.26 In Portland, leftists threw rocks, lead balls, soda cans, glass bottles, and incendiary devices until police dispersed them with the announcement, “May Day is now considered a riot.” Earlier, at the Minnesota State Capitol, leftists threw smoke bombs into the pro-Trump crowd while others set off fireworks in the building, sending people scrambling in fear of a bomb attack. Among those arrested was Linwood Kaine, the son of Hillary’s vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine.27 More of this, undoubtedly, is in store from the Left over the next four years. What this showed is that the Left was engaging in premeditated violence, violence not as outbreak of passion but violence as a political strategy.”” [Dinesh D'Souza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-d-souza/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author argues that left‑wing protests after the 2016 election are not fleeting shock but an ongoing, strategic pattern of violent resistance to perceived political oppression. **In simple terms:** Leftist protests are seen as a sustained, strategic response to political outcomes they oppose. Key Takeaway Recognize the roots and persistence of political violence. Themes politics protest violence media polarization Mood tense critical analytical Type political analytical controversial When to use this quote - elections - public demonstrations - law enforcement responses - media coverage Key Concepts social movements political strategy radicalization Questions to Reflect On - What drives continued protest after an election? - How do media narratives shape perceptions of political violence? A Different Perspective Violence may be overstated or mischaracterized without broader context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civil war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-war/) [Insurmountable odds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insurmountable-odds/) [Mainstream media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mainstream-media/) [Presidential candidate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidential-candidate/) ## Related quotes > [Passion is the engagement of our soul with something beyond us, something that helps us put up with or fight against insurmountable odds, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-hagberg/passion-is-the-engagement-of-our-soul-with-something-beyond-us/) [Janet Hagberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-hagberg/) > [“...realize you aren't the first and only person to ever face insurmountable odds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-o-leary/realize-you-aren-t-the-first-and-only-person-to-ever-face/) [Jeff O'Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-o-leary/) > [I've always been attracted to characters with insurmountable odds and obstacles, because innately, however inarticulately I've always believed that my dreams and my desires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/i-ve-always-been-attracted-to-characters-with-insurmountable-odds-and/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I never feel more alive than when I'm in great pain, struggling against insurmountable odds and untold adversity. 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As late as October 20, 2016, the American Prospect published an article, “Trump No Longer Really Running for President,” the theme of which was that Trump’s “real political goal is to make it impossible for Hillary Clinton to govern.” The election result was, in the words of columnist David Brooks, “the greatest shock of our lifetimes.”25 Trump won against virtually insurmountable odds, which included the mainstream media openly campaigning for Hillary and a civil war within the GOP with the entire intellectual wing of the conservative movement refusing to support him. Initially I interpreted the Left’s violent upheaval as a stunned, heat-of-the-moment response to the biggest come-from-behind victory in U.S. political history. Then I saw two things that made me realize I was wrong. First, the violence did not go away. There were the violent “Not My President’s Day” rallies across the country in February; the violent March 4 disruptions of Trump rallies in California, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Florida; the April anti-Trump tax rallies, supposedly aimed at forcing Trump to release his tax returns; the July impeachment rallies, seeking to build momentum for Trump’s removal from office; and the multiple eruptions at Berkeley.26 In Portland, leftists threw rocks, lead balls, soda cans, glass bottles, and incendiary devices until police dispersed them with the announcement, “May Day is now considered a riot.” Earlier, at the Minnesota State Capitol, leftists threw smoke bombs into the pro-Trump crowd while others set off fireworks in the building, sending people scrambling in fear of a bomb attack. Among those arrested was Linwood Kaine, the son of Hillary’s vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine.27 More of this, undoubtedly, is in store from the Left over the next four years. 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