By R. R. Reno, Editor, First Things, March 3, 2020
(On March 2, 2020) Sen. Chuck Schumer addressed a pro-abortion rally in front of the Supreme Court Building. The Court was hearing a case concerning a Louisiana law requiring physicians who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. The rally was meant to exhibit public support for judging the law an unconstitutional violation of Roe v. Wade.
Schumer’s speech included incendiary words:
I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released a whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.
As Ed Whelan notes, abortion is an issue that inflames passions, and no doubt Schumer meant to exploit those passions. But the rhetoric of direct threat is noteworthy. “You will pay the price.” “You won’t know what hit you.” Is Schumer implying physical assault? Assassination? Or does he merely mean to wave the threat of impeachment, should Democrats attain sufficient power on Capitol Hill? ….