President Trump recently amplified a post by former Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen explicitly calling for the killing of Iranian leaders who refuse U.S. demands. Thiessen argued on X and in a Washington Post op-ed that the U.S. should “kill the faction that does not” want a deal, including targeting “recalcitrant leaders” with airstrikes. Trump shared this message on Truth Social, escalating threats amid a fragile ceasefire.

But here is the warning that cannot be ignored: when you publicly call for the assassination of foreign officials, you normalize political violence as a tool. And that norm cuts both ways. The same logic that justifies killing “the ones who don’t want a deal” can be turned against anyone who makes such demands. If you ask for killings, you can be a target, too. This was underscored by the recent shots fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Rhetoric that invites lethal elimination does not create safety—it creates a mirror. In geopolitics, the sword you sharpen for others may soon be drawn against you.

also check out this weird pro-shots fired, clip:

janus