‘Turning down the temperature’ shouldn’t mean silencing all criticism of Trump

Since Donald Trump was injured on Saturday in the chilling assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally, the nation has been advised – including by Joe Biden – to reduce the political rhetoric that can lead to violence.

“Turn down the temperature,” is the going phrase.

That’s a fine idea.

But it shouldn’t mean silencing criticism of Trump in this extremely consequential election season. It shouldn’t mean transforming him into some mythic combination of martyr and hero. And it certainly shouldn’t mean that he gets a pass – a literal get-out-of-jail-free card – for his innumerable past misdeeds.

The assailant’s bullets didn’t destroy history, and they shouldn’t destroy the rule of law.

But we’re already seeing evidence of that.