Mass gatherings for me, but not for thee.
This has become the new mantra of the Democratic Party — a party quick to join massive protests in support of a cause they believe in, but just as quick to condemn other large gatherings with which they disagree.
See, for example, Florida Rep. Val Demings, who accused the president of selfishly contributing to the “resurgence” of COVID-19 in Florida by planning to host rallies in the state:
The president’s plan to hold mass rallies in Florida and elsewhere as we experience a resurgence in COVID cases is irresponsible and selfish. https://t.co/G6tdqua70c
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) June 11, 2020
Demings’s point would be a fair one had she not participated in her own kind of large group gathering just two days prior:
I joined a ‘Healing and Hope’ rally last night to speak with our community as America grieves. pic.twitter.com/s5oQKkVYOZ
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) June 8, 2020
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders similarly condemned Trump’s planned rallies on Thursday, calling the president a “threat” to the “health” of the public:
Trump wants 15,000 delegates cheering him at his GOP convention in Florida. No social distancing. His rejection of medical advice endangers not only those there but those they come in contact with. Trump’s a threat to the health and well-being of the country. He must be defeated.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 11, 2020
Five days ago, Sanders had this to say about mass protests:
Congratulations to all who are out on the streets today peacefully protesting.
Together, we will end police brutality.
Together, we will defeat Trump.
Together, we will fight for a government based on justice and compassion, not greed and lies.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 6, 2020
There’s simply no way to square this hypocrisy. But Democrats have tried, arguing that the protests against police brutality are worth an exception because the cause is important. Trump’s rally is, I’m guessing, not important enough to earn a similar exception, which is why Democrats are now trying to reinstate the rules just days after tossing them aside.
That’s not how this works. Democrats do not get to subjectively determine which gatherings deserve participation and which ones do not. If social distancing is the governing rule, then it applies to everyone, not just the president and his supporters.
The freedoms of Trump supporters, churchgoers, and business owners are every bit as important as the rights of protesters. It’s time our governing officials start treating them as such.
