Decent Americans were angered by the THIRD assassination attempt on President Trump in recent years (the latest at the White House Correspondents Dinner), but sadly few were shocked or surprised. Americans have grown somewhat numb to political violence, like it’s not unexpected, but the normalization of political violence is extremely corrosive to a culture and expedites societal decay. However, the problem is much worse because NBC reported 20-24% of Americans support some level of political violence. That number is 3% among conservatives, but 25% among liberals.

Assassinations are not new, but historically Americans were incensed and repulsed by previous assassinations and attempts. So, how did we get to where political violence has become common and even a preference among many and perhaps not even disturbing to others anymore?

The short answer is the Democrat Media Complex has been hijacked by the Bolshevik left who choose and desire political violence. Whenever leftists don’t get their way, violence is their typical response. A few years ago, ANTIFA routinely attacked law enforcement and federal installations. Environmental extremists these days vandalize Teslas. And anytime Democrats protest it, usually includes burning, looting, and rioting.

Democrats will vehemently deny such characterizations, but their actions and rhetoric belie a much different reality. The third would-be assassin sent his family a manifesto explaining his rationale for trying to assassinate Trump and members of his cabinet, but his manifesto is indistinguishable from daily fare on CNN or MS now or what Democrats repeatedly spew about Trump and Republicans. One may disagree with Trump and his policies, but he is not a proven pedophile, rapist, or despot.

The Democrat Media Complex rails incessantly against Trump with irrational ad hominem attacks swearing Trump is an existential threat to democracy and that he is a dictator, tyrant, and even a NAZI. Though Trump governs legally and abides by the courts and law; his opponents never offer evidence of such extreme claims. Even after this third assassination attempt (at the recent media dinner), Democrats were unchastened. Hakeem Jeffries and the rest only doubled down, telling critics that Trump should not be so much like Hitler as they fantasize

Their constant drum-beat of sheer hatred for Trump has filtered down to their rabid voters. Social media is overflowing with nurses and teachers expressing their morbid disappointment that Trump was not killed t the media dinner. Wisconsin's Minocqua Brewing Company has for some time been advertising that they will serve free beer the day Trump dies, and after the third failed assassination attempt, they posted their lament that they narrowly missed a “free beer day.” When questioned, they did not apologize, but only restated the offer still stands.

Like Jimmy Kimmel and his tasteless joke about the First Lady being an “expectant widow,” none of these hate-mongering, murder-cheering Democrats are backing down and they're certainly not apologizing. These radicalized Democrats clearly want Trump dead, and they want everyone to know they want Trump dead. Ponder that. Obviously, three would-be assassins (and who knows how many more) have been tragically leaning toward such evil.

Democrats absolutely want to be rid of Trump and are telling Americans they don’t care how, but calling for direct assassination is still unthinkable and unseemly. So, every time we nearly get here, Democrats want to brush it off as both sides do it. WRONG!

Trump has been targeted three times! Supreme Court Justice Brent Kavanaugh was stalked and threatened. Congressman Steve Scalise was mercilessly shot many times! An insurance CEO was assassinated for being a capitalist, and the left idolizes the murderer. And Charlie Kirk was publicly assassinated in front of thousands. There is no remorse from Democrats, only not so tacit approval.

With the leftwing monopoly on political violence, the “both sides” excuse is thin, so nut cases like Rosie O’Donnell, Joy Reid, and too many more claim these assassinations are staged, false flags to boost Trump’s popularity. These people are particularly repugnant. Are the assassins going to jail just props? And was the death of Corey Comperatore in Butler Pennsylvania just part of the show?! These people are truly disgusting and shameless.

Americans are quite aware of the increased political violence and decent people condemn it, but Democrats’ denunciations are inescapably disingenuous. This time there was no respite. Democrats immediately continued maligning Trump as Hitler. Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker defended his comparison of Trump to Hitler, a megalomaniac who murdered millions.

Why? Hitler was the embodiment of evil, so any act to stop him would be morally justified. That’s precisely why Democrats relentlessly repeat it. These assassins are not crazy; they believe they are acting rationally and morally because Trump is Hitler. And apparently, Democrats agree. Note that leftist protesters at the White House Correspondents Dinner held signs before and after that said: “Death to tyrants.”

The only ray of hope in this latest assassination attempt is that the press not only witnessed it but also felt the danger firsthand. In the immediate aftermath, Trump was magnanimous stating that at that moment everyone regardless of party in the Washington Hilton was united in concern and fear. The press was even empathetic and almost kind at Trump’s press conference only 30 minutes after the melee. They asked him rational reasonable questions perhaps for the first time. Will it give them lasting perspective that Trump is just a man doing what he believes is best for America? Pray it does.

Unfortunately, do not expect any change of hearts from Democrats. They cannot beat Trump in politics or policy; they offer no policies or solutions. Trump is beating them at every turn, and he truly threatens their quest for power. If Republicans can win the midterm elections and Trump can implement his entire agenda, Democrats might be in political wilderness for a generation. They can’t wait and they have only one strategy, eliminate Trump, so the assassinations won’t stop until Democrats stop fantasizing about it.

“Cursed is anyone who kills their neighbor secretly.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” Deuteronomy 27:24

Pete Riehm is a Navy Veteran, conservative activist, and columnist in south Alabama. Email him at peteriehm@bellsouth.net or read all his columns at http://www.renewamerica.com/.