Like many other examples (see also: gaslighting), it's a full blown klaxon that wakes you up at three in the morning, not some coded language Lee Atwater had to cop to in an interview.

Marc Caputo reported today that R’s are going thru her DA history & plan is to “Willie Horton” her. He seemed to be quoting a source but it was weird, he hesitated to say it (on Bulwark pod), like the name itself is a slur now. Maybe it kinda is, IDK. Anyway, this is going to get really vile.

Law and order? Dog whistle. Using DEI to describe a Black politician? People who desperately want to say the n word and want you to KNOW they desperately want to say the n word.