House Democratic leaders insisted on Tuesday that they did not see a bigger problem with political violence from the party’s marginal bases.
California’s Democratic Caucus chair Pete Aguilar and vice-chair Ted Lieu condemned the “terrible” assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“The killing of Mr. Kirk last week was also part of the trend of political violence in our country,” Ley said.
He lists several recent politically motivated attacks on Democrats: Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, murdered at their home; Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette; Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence celebrates Passover, bomb bombs. and the plot of the kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“We also see terrorist political violence against President Trump, the Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi and her husband, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Gabby Giffords, and several other political leaders and judges over the past decade. ”
“While political divisions are part of democracy, excuses to hurt others will never be accepted. Political violence is always acceptable.”
But, according to recent polls, Democrats face criticism that their young bases find political violence acceptable.
Charlie Kirk’s so-called shooter Tyler Robinson, 22, reportedly said he was already a leftist ideology.
Robin Westman, 23, was allegedly accused of shooting death of 18 alumni and three adults, murdering two children, and then shooting himself, writing anti-Semitic rhetoric, anti-Christian sentiment, hostility towards President Trump by the accused Minneapolis gunman last month.
Cody Balmer, 38, is suspected of arsonist who allegedly tried to kill Mr. Shapiro and his family, decided to blow up the governor’s official residence because “what he wants to do to the Palestinian people”.
Asked if the Democrats had a youth violence problem to be addressed, Mr. Aguilar said: “No, I think our community has seen violence and I think all of this is horrible, whether it’s shootings in schools or political violence; it doesn’t help.”
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a senior or a young man. I understand that young people are more sensitive to the social media environment they are in, which doesn’t help the moment we are in, but we all condemn these acts of political terror.”
He added: “My position has not changed. No matter your political affiliation, everyone has an obligation to condemn political violence. It has no place in our public discourse.”
A recent YouGov poll showed that 72% of Americans in the political arena said that political violence has never been justified.
26% of liberals under 45 say that sometimes political violence can be justified sometimes, while 12% of moderates under 45 are justified, and sometimes moderates over 45 are justified. There are 7% of young conservatives with 4% of older conservatives saying that sometimes it is reasonable.
Another Yougov SNAP poll conducted two days later showed that 18% of liberals, 7% of conservatives and 6% of moderates responded that sometimes there is a reason to achieve political goals.
