Let's put aside the argument over whether middle school students have the First Amendment right to wear shirts disparaging the President of these United States. It is still a bad thing to do and you should not do it.
Before I go further, let's clarify something: I do not believe for a second that "an NBC sports reporter misheard a vulgar chant." I also do not believe she was maliciously lying or engaged in a cover-up. Having people chant the F word about the President is an admittedly awkward situation, so she was making the best of an awkward situation on the fly.
Everyone knows, especially in 2023, that "Let's Go Brandon" means "F*** Joe Biden." The students knew what it was about, and more importantly their parents know exactly what it means. Buying your middle school student (not your college student) a shirt that proudly proclaims "F" the President is classless behavior. It shows deep disrespect for the office of the President and for the authority of the civil magistrate. Scripture makes clear in Romans 13 that civil authority was established by God and we are to respect the authority He has put in place. Context is important, so remember this was written at a time when the brutal, murderous, pagan Roman Empire was hostile to Christians. The author of that book was beheaded by Rome.
And let's be clear: This is not about the students. This is about the parents wanting to use their students to advertise a vulgar expression about the President of the United States. The shirts were a Christmas present. Let's not be so naïve as to leave the parents out of the situation and make it about the free speech rights of tweens and young teens.
Yes, I know many Democrats are vulgar in their opposition to President Trump. Yes, that was and is wrong. It is also irrelevant. "He did it toooooooooooooo" is not an argument.
Look, none of this is difficult. You can express your opposition to the President without using four letter words or explicit sexual taunts. Cussing at the President may give you cathartic release, but it does not enhance your argument. It weakens your case and allows people to distract from any substantive points you make. But this is more important: Do not recruit your tween and young teen children to wear shirts saying "F***" the President. Teach them to respect authority instead, and make solid arguments about policy. More than anything else, the "Let's Go Brandon" shirts were a failure of parenting.
Respect the office, even if you do not respect the man
Cussing at the President may give you cathartic release, but it does not enhance your argument.
