Have you ever wondered how to get away with murder? Simply look at the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. After fatally shooting two men, and injuring another at a Black Lives Matter protest in August 2020, Rittenhouse has been acquitted on all charges. These included first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, and two charges of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and use of a dangerous weapon. Rittenhouse argued that he acted in self-defense, facing 12 jurors, and six alternates, which he controversially selected. Despite his overwhelming implication in the murders, and several other charges, Rittenhouse was declared innocent: an act that speaks to the bias of the United States’ justice system.
Rittenhouse’s trial is a green light for White supremacists and vigilantes. They now have the certainty that they can avoid facing consequences for their crimes. If Rittenhouse, then 17-years old, can cross state lines, carry a semi-automatic weapon, and use it to murder 2 people, what will they get away with? Rittenhouse, a White teenager, commited acts of vigilantism, and murder, during a protest over the murder of Jacob Blake: a Black man, killed by a White police officer. If a justice system can find him innocent on all counts, why would it condemn them?
In one of the most perverse developments of the case, the GOP has not only legitimized, but also celebrated Rittenhouse’s actions. In reaction to the verdict, several figures in the Republican party tweeted their responses. “NOT GUILTY!!!!!!!!” Representative Matt Gaetz tweeted. Rep. Paul Gosar stated “Justice was served for #KyleRittenhouse and he is fully exonerated.” While Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted “ACQUITTED on ALL charges…May Kyle and his family now live in peace.”
Rittenhouse has also appeared on Fox News following his acquittal, gaining support among conservative pundits and personalities. In an hour-long interview with Tucker Carlson, he stated that the case “had nothing to do with race” and declared that he was “not a racist person.” According to Rittenhouse, this was all about the “right to self-defense,” an argument that has been supported by other conservatives. He claimed that the media had politicized the trial, but never questioned that the very acts that lead to it were political. Rittenhouse called himself an “innocent kid,” while Carson deemed that he was “trying to do the right thing.” Five million people watched Rittenhouse’s special.
Members of the House of Representatives including Madison Cawthorne, Matt Gaetz, Paul Gosar, and Lauren Bobaert, have also expressed interest in having Rittenhouse as an intern. Former President Trump received Rittenhouse at his residence in Mar-a-Lago and described him as “really a nice young man” and “a really good, young guy.” Trump also added that “what he went through…was prosecutorial misconduct,” putting into question the very same system that enabled Rittenhouse to walk away from his crimes.
Conservatives have also made a martyr out of Rittenhouse. They have depicted him as a traumatized young man who is a victim of the court system. He sought to defend property and acted in self-defense. Yet, conservatives have failed to show this same enthusiasm for actual victims of the justice system, many of whom are Black. The officers who fatally shot Breonna Taylor in her home, entering with a no-knock warrant, have not been tried for her murder. Treyvon Martin’s murderer was acquitted. The police officer who shot Philando Castille was found not guilty. The list goes on. Black men are also disproportionately incarcerated and affected by mandatory minimum sentences, policies such as Florida’s two-strikes law, and the death penalty. These are the real injustices of the system, not a White teenager being put on trial for crimes he committed.
Rittenhouse is simply a pawn in a much larger game: one that involves a GOP which has increasingly legitimized acts of violence and White supremacy. Former President Trump deemed White Nationalists and Neo-Nazis “very fine people” after the violence in Charlottesville in 2017, and told far-right, neo-facist group Proud Boys to “stand by” during a presidential debate. This legitimization, and support for violence extended to the January 6th riot on the Capitol, an event that has been celebrated by the far-right wing of the GOP.
The Republican party has increasingly shown a lack of willingness to condemn acts of violence. It has failed to show support for reforming police departments, denouncing acts of White supremacy, establishing justice for Black victims, and creating greater consciousness regarding racial equity. It has become evident what the GOP does not stand for. Instead what the Republican party does stand for is something much more sinister.
