Terrorism is defined as the use of violence for political ends. Given that definition, Donald Trump’s call to prohibit all Muslims, even American citizens, from crossing the border into the United States, can be categorized as an act of terrorism.
No, Donald Trump didn’t perpetrate the violence himself, but he is exploiting it to gain political power for himself.
Here’s what Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein has to say about the matter in contrast:
“As we grieve for the latest victims and their families, we must resist the demagoguery that would turn grief into vengeance and expand the catastrophic war on terror.
We must likewise resist the deplorable expressions of xenophobia and stand up for the civil rights and civil liberties of Muslims who are in no way implicated in the crimes of ISIS. To the contrary, we must ensure a pathway to dignity, self-respect and full inclusion in society that will undermine ISIS recruitment to the path of violence.
We must also look to rein in senseless violence where it occurs. In particular, we must end weapons profiteering, that fans the flames of violence domestically and over seas. Whether by Lockheed Martin, Northrup Gruman or the NRA, the promotion of brutality and violence for profit needs to be stopped. Congress and the White House need to stand up to the enablers of terror at home and around the world.”