Wednesday night marked the end of a day of high tensions following the sending of explosive devices to several prominent Democrats, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, by unknown perpetrators, which prompted President Donald Trump to call on the nation to come together in “peace and harmony.”
The President, who was speaking at a rally in Wisconsin, also told the crowd that politicians “must stop treating political opponents as being morally defective,” but also placed the blame on the media.
“Any acts or threats of political violence are an attack on our democracy, itself,” Trump said. “No nation can succeed that tolerates violence or the threat of violence as a method of political intimidation, coercion, or control.”
An explosive was likewise sent to the New York offices of CNN, forcing the newsroom to evacuate. However, instead of condemning such an act, President Trump blamed the media for provoking the incident and called on it to spend some time in self-reflection, ABC News writes.
“The media also has a responsibility to set a civil tone and to stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories. Have to do it. They’ve got to stop,” he noted, making no mention as to whether his constant attacks on his Democratic opponents, particularly those targeted by the bombs, may have contributed to the present political climate.
The President has often used derisive nicknames for his opponents, including “Crooked Hillary [Clinton],” “low IQ [Maxine Waters]” who was also the target of one of the bomb threats, and “Cryin’ Chuck [Schumer].”
Trump didn’t mention the victims by name, nor indicated that there may be consequences for such acts of violence. His comments Wednesday night have spurred critics to once again claim Trump is “morally unfit” for office, The Hill informs.
Trump held the rally in the central Wisconsin town of Mosinee in support of Senate candidate Leah Vukmir and Republican Governor Scott Walker.
Be the first to comment