Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) has walked by his incendiary rhetoric about President Donald Trump in a groveling apology.
Goldman previously served as lead counsel for the House Democrats during the first attempted impeachment of Trump.
The congressman has long been vocal in his opposition to the leading Republican candidate for the presidency in 2024.
However, Goldman has now apologized and walked back remarks he made over the weekend that were perceived by many to be a death threat, according to The Hill.
As Slay News reported, Goldman openly called for the 45th president “to be eliminated.”
Ironically, that controversial comment came as Goldman was criticizing Trump for his “dangerous” rhetoric that he claims made others feel targeted and unsafe.
On Sunday, Goldman joined former White House press secretary Jen Psaki on her MSNBC show to discuss, among other things, a newly released audio clip of Trump discussing the Jan. 6 Capitol protests of 2021.
The congressman, as a former prosecutor, suggested that Trump’s words “riled up and excited” his supporters outside the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Goldman claims Trump’s words could ultimately be used against him at trial.
“But his rhetoric is really getting dangerous — more and more dangerous,” Goldman said.
“We saw what happened on January 6th, when he used his inflammatory rhetoric.
“Now, in his recent Truth Social posts, is incredibly, incredibly scary for anyone that might be trying to work in government.”
“And it is just unquestionable at this point that man cannot see public office again,” the Democratic lawmaker added.
“He is not only unfit, he is destructive to our democracy, and he has to be — he has to be eliminated.”
.@RepDanGoldman: “His rhetoric is really getting dangerous… It is just unquestionable at this point that [Trump] cannot see public office again. He is not only unfit. He is destructive to our democracy. He has to be eliminated.” pic.twitter.com/9hS6NHlOB5
— Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) November 19, 2023
Goldman faced immediate blowback on social media over his incendiary commentary — notably while critiquing Trump’s own belligerent statements — and swiftly attempted to walk it all back with an apology.
“Yesterday on TV, I mistakenly used the wrong word to express the importance for America that Donald Trump doesn’t become President again,” Goldman tweeted.
“While he must be defeated, I certainly wish no harm to him and do not condone political violence.
“I apologize for the poor choice of words.”
As was made abundantly clear in the replies to that tweet, however, his attempt at contrition did not go over particularly well.
Very few of the responses appeared to actually believe that the congressman was sorry or didn’t intend to use threatening rhetoric against Trump.
Newsweek reported that some Trump supporters have called for Goldman to face consequences for his actions, including being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service or formally censured by the Republican-led House, if not to resign from politics altogether.
Yet, it seems unlikely that Goldman will be held accountable for his words by his fellow Democrats and their media allies.
Psaki certainly didn’t push back against the caustic remarks as she nodded along in agreement.
As for Trump and his campaign, they have taken it in stride as no different than any of the myriad other threats posed against the 45th president.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung told Fox News, “Democrats have been calling for violence against President Trump and his supporters since 2016.”
“This is not new or surprising rhetoric.”
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