In recent developments, conservatives have expressed their outrage at Vice President Kamala Harris and her supporters, accusing them of using “violent rhetoric” following the second failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Ryan Wesley Routh, identified as the alleged assassin who was apprehended on Sunday when Trump was playing golf in West Palm Beach, appears to have political leanings towards Ukraine and has donated to Democrat causes. He even displayed a Biden-Harris bumper sticker on his truck.
While Harris released a statement expressing her deep concern about the potential assassination attempt on her political opponent, she continues to use problematic rhetoric. Breitbart News reported that she falsely claimed Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin that he could “do whatever the hell he wants and go into Ukraine.” This has prompted many conservatives to point directly at the rhetoric of Harris and her Democratic allies as a cause for these violent actions.
Republican Representative Greg Steube from Florida shared a clip of his appearance on Fox News, calling out the left’s demonizing rhetoric that he believes is causing these attempts on Trump’s life: “Twice in 2 months. The Left’s demonizing rhetoric must stop.” He also prayed for the safety of President Trump and his family, stating that evil cannot win.
Dan Scavino, senior adviser to Trump, directly criticized Harris’ response to the news of the attempted shooting, accusing her of causing this incident with her own rhetoric: “You’re so full of shit, you’re not glad he is safe—It is your rhetoric that has caused this, AGAIN.
Kylie Jane Kremer, executive director of Women for America First, also called out Harris and the Democrats’ violent rhetoric after an assassin tried to kill Donald Trump for a second time. She pointed to Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who made statements on MSNBC that “MAGA” is a threat to America.
The Virginia GOP criticized Rachel Vindman, wife of former Trump impeachment witness Alexander Vindman, for joking about the potential murder: “No ears were harmed. Carry on with your Sunday afternoon.” They questioned when she and others would condemn this disgraceful rhetoric.
Other Republican lawmakers have also called out Harris and the Democrats for their inflammatory language, with Rep. Darrell Issa from California requesting her to “cool the rhetoric about Donald Trump before it gets him killed.” Sen. Rick Scott from Florida urged media outlets and left-wing politicians to stop using dangerous and senseless rhetoric that could incite violence.
Sen. Mike Lee from Utah accused MSNBC of creating an “Operation Valkyrie” mindset with their comments about Trump, which can lead to assassination attempts. He stated that if anyone needs to tone down the rhetoric, it’s MSNBC. Even Donald Trump Jr. observed that Ryan Wesley Routh was using slogans from Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and left-wing media in his tweets leading up to the attack.
Former President Trump himself has acknowledged the role of the radical left’s rhetoric in inciting violence against him, telling Fox News Digital: “He believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it.” He added that their words are causing him to be shot at while he tries to save the country, and they are the ones destroying it.