Quoted, Misquoted, and Manipulated in American Political Rhetoric

In contemporary American politics, the words of the Founding Fathers are wielded with a reverence akin to scripture, often wielded by both fascist and anti-fascist camps to bolster their ideological claims. Much like the Bible, their writings—letters, speeches, and essays—are quoted, misquoted, or stripped of context to serve modern agendas, distorting their original intent. This phenomenon reflects a broader cultural tendency to sanctify historical figures while ignoring their complexities, a practice policies they’d likely condemn (Bailyn, 2017).

On the fascist-leaning side, groups often invoke the Founders to promote a rigid, exclusionary vision of America. For instance, Thomas Jefferson’s phrase, “the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants,” from a 1787 letter, is frequently cited to justify armed resistance or anti-government sentiment (Jefferson, 1787/2004). Yet, Jefferson wrote this in the context of Shays’ Rebellion, expressing sympathy for limited unrest while advocating for reasoned governance, not violent insurrection. Misquoting or decontextualizing this line fuels narratives of unchecked militancy, ignoring Jefferson’s broader commitment to democratic stability (Maier, 1997).

Similarly, anti-fascist groups cherry-pick quotes to counter authoritarianism. Benjamin Franklin’s warning, “A republic, if you can keep it,” is often used to rally against perceived threats to democracy (Franklin, 1787/1998). While apt, this quote is sometimes stretched to imply Franklin foresaw modern partisan gridlock or authoritarianism, which oversimplifies his concern about civic virtue and factionalism. Such selective use flattens the Founders’ nuanced views into slogans, much like biblical verses are weaponized in theological debates (Wood, 2009).

This parallel to scripture is no coincidence. Both the Bible and the Founders’ writings are foundational texts, rich in ambiguity and authority, making them ripe for interpretation. As scholar Bernard Bailyn notes, the Founders’ ideas were products of Enlightenment debates, not monolithic dogmas, yet their words are treated as sacred writ in political discourse (Bailyn, 2017). This sanctification obscures their contradictions—Jefferson’s liberty rhetoric alongside his slaveholding, or Hamilton’s federalism clashing with Madison’s states’ rights advocacy. Ignoring these tensions allows both camps to project modern values onto historical figures, distorting their legacy (Ellis, 2000).

The consequences are profound. Misquotes or out-of-context citations polarize debates, reducing complex issues to soundbites. When fascist-leaning groups invoke the Second Amendment alongside Madison’s words without acknowledging his support for regulated militias, or when anti-fascists cite Adams’ warnings about tyranny while ignoring his Alien and Sedition Acts, they erode historical truth for rhetorical gain (Cornell, 2006). This mirrors biblical misinterpretation, where context is sacrificed for persuasion, alienating those seeking reasoned dialogue.

To move forward, Americans must approach the Founders’ words with critical humility, recognizing their historical context and limitations. Just as biblical scholars advocate for exegesis over proof-texting, political discourse would benefit from grappling with the Founders’ full complexity rather than wielding them as ideological weapons. Only then can their ideas inform, rather than inflame, debates about America’s future.

References
Bailyn, B. (2017). The ideological origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.
Cornell, S. (2006). A well-regulated militia: The founding fathers and the origins of gun control in America. Oxford University Press.
Ellis, J. J. (2000). Founding brothers: The revolutionary generation. Knopf.
Franklin, B. (1998). The autobiography and other writings. Penguin Classics. (Original work published 1787)
Jefferson, T. (2004). The papers of Thomas Jefferson. Princeton University Press. (Original work published 1787)
Maier, P. (1997). American scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. Knopf.
Wood, G. S. (2009). Empire of liberty: A history of the early republic, 1789–1815. Oxford University Press.