Battenfeld: Unhinged Seth Moulton takes aim at President Trump
In a recent and controversial statement, Congressman Seth Moulton has ignited heated discussions with his alarming assertion that former President Donald Trump could resort to murdering U.S. citizens, akin to his administration’s approach to drug smugglers. During an appearance on CNN, Moulton, who is currently facing an uphill battle in his Democratic primary campaign against incumbent Senator Ed Markey, claimed, “We have laws that say drug traffickers don’t get summarily executed,” warning that Trump’s actions offshore could eventually translate to violence against American citizens. This incendiary rhetoric appears to be a strategic move by Moulton as he attempts to rally support in a race where he trails significantly behind Markey, who has established himself as a formidable progressive figure in Massachusetts.
Moulton’s comments come at a time when he is struggling to gain momentum in a primary that is increasingly leaning in favor of Markey, who boasts strong endorsements from various liberal groups and maintains a favorable image among voters. Recent polling data from the University of New Hampshire shows Markey leading Moulton by a nine-point margin, with over 55% of respondents holding a favorable view of the incumbent compared to just 34% for Moulton. Furthermore, the poll indicates that more than 60% of self-identified progressives support Markey, leaving Moulton in a precarious position. His strategy of appealing to the far-left base may alienate moderate voters, particularly with his extreme claims about the former president. As he continues to emphasize Markey’s age and question the integrity of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over military actions against drug smuggling boats, Moulton risks further isolating himself from a broader electorate that may not resonate with his sensationalist approach.
As the primary approaches, Moulton’s incendiary remarks raise questions about the effectiveness of his campaign strategy. While aiming to position himself as a bold alternative to Markey, his extreme accusations may backfire, particularly among undecided voters who could be turned off by such drastic claims. The Massachusetts Senate race remains dynamic, with the potential for shifts as voters weigh Moulton’s radical approach against Markey’s established progressive credentials. With Moulton’s future in the race hanging in the balance, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether his controversial tactics can indeed reinvigorate his campaign or lead to further decline in favorability among voters.
An unhinged Seth Moulton, trying to reignite his questionable Senate campaign, is now making incendiary charges suggesting President Trump will start murdering U.S. citizens the same way he is targeting dangerous drug smugglers.
“We have laws that say drug traffickers don’t get summarily executed,” the Massachusetts congressman said on his favorite go-to liberal network, CNN. “And if it’s happening off the coast of America with people we don’t know, just give it time before Donald Trump starts doing the same kind of thing to people we do know right here at home.”
Moulton’s outlandish and dangerous comments come as he is struggling to gain traction in his Democratic challenge to U.S. Sen. Ed Markey.
The North Shore congressman apparently has decided that veering far left and appealing to extremists is the right strategy to take down the 79-year-old incumbent, who polls show is leading Moulton.
Markey is no moderate himself and has racked up endorsements from nearly every liberal special interest group in the state. His daily rants against Trump are designed to bolster his progressive bona fides in Massachusetts.
Markey will be 80 before next year’s election and Moulton has made his age a major issue in the campaign.
But the only one who sounds deranged and unfit to serve lately is Moulton.
The publicity seeking congressman said he wants Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed “as soon as possible” for the Trump administration’s targeting of drug smuggling boats on the high seas.
“This is a lawless Secretary of Defense,” said Moulton, a Marine veteran who sits on the Armed Services Committee. “They’re committing murders and no one cares.”
Moulton in particular cited reports that the Pentagon ordered a second hit on a drug smuggling boat that survived the first strike.
“The only question is what is the most effective way to get rid of Pete Hegseth as quickly as possible,” he said. “Pete Hegseth himself is a national security risk to the United States.”
Markey got a boost recently when U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who was considering jumping in the Senate race, decided to run instead for re-election to her House seat.
A survey released last month by the University of New Hampshire showed Markey leading Moulton by a 9-point margin, but 35% of likely primary voters were undecided – meaning the race is still wide open.
But Markey has a clear edge over Moulton when it comes to favorability ratings, with 55% saying they had a favorable impression of the Democratic incumbent compared to just 34% who had a favorable view of the challenger.
In the UNH poll, more than 6-in-10 self-described “progressives” backed Markey, with just 17% supporting Moulton.
That suggests Moulton’s only path to victory is veering toward the middle and trying to reach out to unenrolled voters. But his comments about Trump becoming a murderer are unlikely to appeal to more moderate groups of voters.
