Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) warned Friday that dangerous rhetoric on both ends of the political spectrum is fueling real-world violence, including the recent antisemitic terror attack outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. Speaking on HBO’s Real Time, Moulton said calls for intifada and Israel’s destruction on college campuses don’t help—and neither does President Trump’s fiery language against federal judges.
“Do the campus calls for intifada, for ‘from the river to the sea’—which means wipe Israel off the map—do they help? No, they don’t,” Moulton said. “It also doesn’t help when Trump calls for violence against federal judges, and violence over the last three months against federal judges goes way up.”
Moulton emphasized the importance of free speech but drew a clear line: “We’re not going to use that as an excuse for murder.” He stressed the need for Democrats to forcefully condemn antisemitism and the rationalization of violence, warning that if they don’t, “we’re going to be defined by it by the Republicans and we’re going to lose elections. But, most importantly, we’re not going to keep people safe.”
Moulton argued that while Trump calls for supporters to attack the Capitol or intimidate federal judges, Democrats must be the party that keeps Americans safe. “If we’re going to be the opposite of that, then we’ve got to keep people safe,” he said.
His comments highlight growing concern over the dangerous rhetoric and violent actions that have become all too common in today’s political landscape.
Moulton’s comments reflect a growing concern that unchecked rhetoric, whether from radical activists on college campuses or high-profile political figures, contributes to a dangerous climate of division and violence. He pointed to a surge in threats against federal judges, arguing that Trump’s inflammatory language encourages extremist behavior.
While defending the importance of free speech, Moulton stressed that such freedoms must not be weaponized to excuse or justify acts of terror. His remarks underscore the urgent need for political leaders—on both sides—to reject dangerous language and stand firmly against those who would exploit it for violent ends.
