(The Center Square) – Following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, Wisconsin lawmakers and candidates on both sides of the aisle have condemned the violence on social media.
Among well-known Democrats, Gov. Tony Evers and Sen. Tammy Baldwin expressed their condolences.
“My thoughts are with President Trump and all of the folks attending today’s rally in Pennsylvania. Thank you to the first responders who acted quickly, putting themselves and their safety at risk in order to respond to a horrific act of violence and keep people safe,” Evers said.
“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,” said Baldwin.
Many Democrats in the Milwaukee area have responded as well.
U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, who represents almost all of Milwaukee, said “Gun violence is not an acceptable form of political discourse. I pray for a full recovery for the former president, and anyone else who has been injured. I will continue to monitor the ongoing response from law enforcement.”
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who two days before the rally posted that Trump “lied” and is “unfit to lead,” also condemned the violence.
“There is no space, absolutely none, for this sort of violence in America. No one should be shot — not like this. Not kids, not churchgoers, and not a candidate for president of the United States. I wish Mr. Trump a speedy recovery,” he said.
County Executive David Crowley called for unity and safety as the Republican National Convention opens today at Fiserv Forum.
“The President just said it himself: We must condemn violence of all kinds and stand together as Americans to promote peace, civility, and safety,” Crowley said on social media. “As the Republican National Convention begins tomorrow in Milwaukee, let’s all recommit to doing just that.”
Prominent Republicans, some of whom will speak at the convention, both expressed their condolences and condemned the media for inflaming political rhetoric against Trump.
U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, who is running against Democratic candidate Peter Barca, posted he was “deeply saddened” by the incident.
“Thankful President Trump survived today’s assassination attempt. Deeply saddened for the loss of life of someone simply showing support at a campaign rally. Prayers for all involved and for our nation after this tragedy,” said Steil.
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald said he is “praying for President Trump, his security detail, and all of the Trump supporters in Butler, PA.”
U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde, who is running against Baldwin and will be speaking at the RNC, released a video where he implied that anti-Trump rhetoric could have influenced the violence.
“I’m not surprised about what’s happened today, because the rhetoric over the last eight years, the vilification of President Trump, and the attacks on him have been unending by the media and the left. We have to lower the rhetoric in this country,” Hovde said.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who has a strained relationship with Trump but will attend the convention, posted Saturday he is glad Trump is safe.
“The assassination attempt on President Trump earlier today is a dark moment for our country. I’m praying for President Trump and call on our nation to come together and denounce this cowardly attack on democracy,” Vos said.
