'Dangerous forces of authoritarianism': Raskin slams Trump while passing on Senate race

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said Friday he will not run for the Senate, instead pledging to use his resources to push back against Donald Trump and the “dangerous forces of authoritarianism” that he said the former president engenders.

Raskin considered running for the seat that will be vacated when Sen. Ben Cardin (D) completes his term.

A news release announcing his decision focused more on the threats he believes Trump poses to democracy than his own political aspirations.

“Trump and his cult followers must be stopped in their political tracks,” Raskin said.

“We urgently need to safeguard the rights of women with a national law protecting choice. We need to update the Voting Rights Act to shut down voter suppression and disenfranchisement all over America.”

The decision follows Raskin’s second bout with cancer. He is now in remission.

“We Democrats may not be perfect but we fight hard every day for the Constitution and the common good of the people,” Raskin said in the Friday statement.

“Meantime, Donald Trump and the dangerous forces of authoritarianism he commands have no declared policy agenda other than exacting revenge against his enemies. Everything he seeks in public office and public life is for his own aggrandizement and enrichment."

He added:

“All he has produced in government is corruption and polarization, the demolition of public institutions and values that generations of Americans have built, the repression of civil liberties, the colossal waste of resources on vainglorious and pernicious projects, and the spread of disinformation, hatred and suffering. This is the exact opposite of what our country needs. But Trump has proven himself time and again willing to lie, cheat, and steal elections–to fabricate votes and incite violence against the Union in order to have his way.”