Political protest and violence in presidential politics

Guests: Ashley Parker, Robert Mackey and Heather Cox Richardson

There have been recent outbreaks of aggression and violence at events held by Presidential Republican candidate Donald Trump. Protestors have complained of being kicked, pushed, spat on and punched and the candidate himself has offered support for physical attacks. We’ll talk with New York Times reporter ASHLEY PARKER about her experience covering Donald Trump and witnessing the danger up close. And ROBERT MACKEY, a Senior Writer at the online publication The Intercept, will discuss the reporting that went into his new piece” Trump concerned his rallies are not violent enough.” To put the recent political protest in historical context, we’ll talk with Boston College professor HEATHER COX RICHARDSON, who likens the recent violence to similar moments the 1850s, the 1890s, and the 1960s. She’ll tell us where Trump’s rhetoric comes from, and explain why she believes Trump’s position outside the traditional political party structure makes it easier for him to use violent rhetoric to build personal power.