Former President Donald Trump during the debate against President Joe Biden on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. Photo: Jack Gruber/USA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK via IMAGN
Saturday’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has generated conspiracy theories, with the Left blaming “crisis actors” and the Right blaming the “Deep State.” Meanwhile, queer congressional Democrats largely condemned the shooting which was carried out by the now-dead 20-year-old shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, a registered Republican who once gave $15 to progressive Democrats.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) criticized Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), a leading contender to become Trump’s vice presidential pick, after Vance blamed Democrats for causing the shooting by calling Trump a “fascist.” Torres called Vance “despicably demagogic to their core” and said they chose “partisanship over statesmanship, even when the gravity of the moment calls for a moratorium on the usual partisan politics.”
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There are politicians who will invariably choose partisanship over statesmanship, even when the gravity of the moment calls for a moratorium on the usual partisan politics.
Mike Collins and JD Vance—despicably demagogic to their core—are Exhibits A and B. pic.twitter.com/QTfqx7Tc25
Here are how the other out queer Congress members reacted to the shooting.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
“Violence of this kind is never acceptable and I condemn it in the strongest of terms. My thoughts are with President Trump and his family.”
Violence of this kind is never acceptable and I condemn it in the strongest of terms. My thoughts are with President Trump and his family.
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) July 13, 2024
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ)
“Violence, especially political violence, is completely unacceptable. We must be a model for civil democracy and commit to the values that define us as Americans.”
Sen. Laphonsa Butler (D-CA)
“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump and his family as well as all the Americans who were present at the rally,” Butler said. “We must not allow political violence to become acceptable in our democracy.”
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI)
“Awful. Violence is never acceptable. Period. My thoughts are with all impacted by this terrible event. If everyone takes our political rhetoric down a notch or two, we would all be better.”
Awful. Violence is never acceptable. Period.
My thoughts are with all impacted by this terrible event.
If everyone takes our political rhetoric down a notch or two, we would all be better.
“Political violence is never acceptable in the United States. Whoever is responsible for the attack against former President Trump must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I’m praying for the safety of the former president and those in attendance at his rally. My heart goes out to the families of those killed and injured yesterday at former President Donald Trump’s rally. I’m thankful he was not more seriously injured. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”
Political violence is never acceptable in the United States. Whoever is responsible for the attack against former President Trump must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
I’m praying for the safety of the former president and those in attendance at his rally.
My heart goes out to the families of those killed and injured yesterday at former President Donald Trump’s rally. I’m thankful he was not more seriously injured. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.
“Horrified by the shots fired at the former president today and relieved he is okay. Political violence is never acceptable. Thank you to the Secret Service and law enforcement who responded and are investigating.”
Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH)
“Political violence has no place in our civic life, and we must condemn it in the strongest possible terms. My thoughts are with former President Trump, his family, and all those in Butler, PA, and I am grateful for the Secret Service and local law enforcement on the scene.”
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY)
In addition to making comments on WNYW-TV News, he wrote on X, “Democracy has no greater enemy than political violence. It has no place in the United States of America. We must never revert back to a period of political assassinations in America.”
He has also expressed shock that the Secret Service failed to secure the nearby rooftop from which the would-be assassin fired. Torres wrote, “These security failures cannot go unanswered.” He has pledged to push for enhanced security for all presidential candidates.
Democracy has no greater enemy than political violence. It has no place in the United States of America.
We must never revert back to a period of political assassinations in America.
“I’m shocked, saddened and deeply concerned about the violence that took place at the Trump rally yesterday. I unequivocally condemn political violence of any kind. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
I’m shocked, saddened and deeply concerned about the violence that took place at the Trump rally yesterday. I unequivocally condemn political violence of any kind. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
“The attack on former President Trump was horrific and we should all condemn this shooting in the strongest possible terms. There is no place in our country for political violence. I am grateful for the swift response from Secret Service and law enforcement.”
Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL)
“I am deeply concerned with the incident today involving former President Trump in Pennsylvania. In the United States of America, we must always settle political differences with amicable dialogue. I denounce all political violence and wish the former President and all those affected peaceful healing.”
