Republicans are increasingly worried that Democrat rhetoric on Trump is influencing some individuals to commit violent acts against him. This became more of a concern following the second assassination attempt this week.
Although both sides of the aisle are relieved that the former president is unharmed, they disagree on how these attacks manifested.
Perhaps the best example lies in an exchange between Fox News reporter Peter Doocy and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Doocy called out Jean-Pierre after she referred to Trump as a “threat” and asked why she still does that so soon after the most recent alleged assassination attempt.
Jean-Pierre responded by blaming former President Trump’s rhetoric regarding the January 6, 2021, riot.
The White House appears to be doubling down on this position of blaming Trump for the acts of violence perpetrated or attempted against him. Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking before the National Association of Black Journalists, said that somebody like Trump should not be allowed to “have that microphone again” in her words.
The most direct accusation from Democrats came from former Secretary of State and Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Speaking with MSNBC, Clinton said the media isn’t properly covering how “dangerous” Trump is.
But the phrasing from all of these examples is what Republicans believe is the problem. As Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said on Fox News, some people believe they “need to take this guy out” upon hearing such accusations.
As politicians bicker, everyone continues to wait for any results from the investigations into this second assassination attempt.