Undoubtedly, last week’s horrific shooting of House Republican whip Steve Scalise and four others on a baseball field in Alexandria, VA was fueled by vitriolic and incendiary anti-Trump rhetoric emanating from the Democrats and their media allies. And the incident, as bad as it was, could have turned out far worse.
But anger at Democrats — and gratitude that casualties were limited and that Scalise himself will likely survive — should not obscure the fact that Republicans had no business being on that ball field in the first place – and once there, should not have left themselves so vulnerable to attack.
First, consider the hostile setting.
Del Ray, VA, the community of 23,000 residents where the shooting occurred, is often described as “liberal” – a label that tends to obscure just how radical and left-wing many of its residents actually are. Del Ray is basically northern Virginia’s version of Takoma Park, MD, the hyper-progressive enclave across the river that once declared itself a “nuclear free zone” and even allows illegal immigrants to vote.
The two towns are heavily populated with White Millennials who espouse “political correctness” and show open contempt for Donald Trump and Republicans. GOP party candidates never campaign in either locale for a reason. There are very few ‘friendlies.”
In the 2016 presidential election, between 75% and 85% of Del Ray residents voted for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. But, in fact, a hefty percentage of these voters – as demonstrated in the primary — were, and are, Bernie Sanders supporters. This is not a prosperous area, but one in which many residents are still struggling. In fact, it’s fertile ground for a deeply discontented Sanders supporter to camp out for months in the midst of other “never-Trumpers” and not be noticed, let alone be considered “odd.”
Why would House GOP members, especially some of its most senior and influential leaders, decide to practice baseball – and not just once, but morning after morning for weeks — in such a town? There are wonderful baseball fields all over northern Virginia in towns not so hostile to Republicans. Couldn’t House GOP members practiced more safely somewhere else?
Del Ray also happens to be on the edge of Arlandria, a large Central American community that happens to be one of the most notorious base areas for the transnational terrorist organization, MS-13. The group has bases all across the US now, but it is heavily concentrated in a few areas, including Arlandria. Gang violence has surged in Arlandria and has spilled over into Del Ray over the past two years, with stories of horrific violence.
And consider this: House GOP members like Scalise are in the forefront of efforts to eliminate MS-13 and to deport the illegal immigrants that comprise so much of MS-13’s domestic base of support. So, again, why choose a locale so close to your known enemies?
To be sure, at the time of last week’s attack, there was no extant threat from anyone toward the House GOP leadership. Even many area residents had no idea that House members practiced baseball there. But somehow, the attacker did; he even had photos of the ball field on his cell phone. How did a total stranger to the area so easily obtain intelligence on the movements of the GOP’s top leadership and so easily maneuver himself close enough to nearly assassinate them?
It boggles the mind.
A security risk assessment is not based on a high probability of an incident actually occurring. It’s based on reducing whatever probability may exist to as close to zero as possible. You always plan for worst case scenarios. An attack by an angry liberal – or an illegal immigrant terrorist — in a hotbed of radicalism like Del Ray might well have been one of those scenarios.
The quality of the protection that House GOP members received during their baseball practice is also of great concern. Much has been made of the fact that the timely reaction of Scalise’s security detail may have prevented a “massacre.” But where was the detail deployed when Scalise was practicing on the field?
Sitting in the baseball stands apparently. Normally, a security detail accompanies its protectee closely to ward off a prospective attacker. Scalise’s normally did. However, the rules have to change when close-in protection is not an option. Otherwise, a detail’s presence provides no effective deterrence.
In this case, it is shocking that neither member of his security detail was either patrolling the perimeter of the ball field or simply stationed on the perimeter to interdict a prospective intruder. The attacker apparently did not realize that security personnel were present. How could he, if those personnel were not providing a visible and pro-active security presence?
It is highly unlikely that he would have attacked had he seen an armed security person on the perimeter of the ball field.
It is easy to second guess and to find fault. Shouldn’t members of Congress be free to play baseball anywhere they want? In theory, sure.
But given the reality of our times, prudence and preparation are called for. Some have suggested that members of Congress should be authorized to carry weapons for protection. It’s a good idea. But failing that, they might consider requesting official police protection the next time they decide to appear in public to play baseball.
And for God’s sake, move the practice to another locale, and before starting, conduct a standard security assessment with local police. This incident shouldn’t have happened – and it should never happen again.