Psaki Urges GOP to Moderate Convention Rhetoric after Trump Assassination Attempt

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki implores the Republican National Committee to adjust its convention programming, emphasizing the need to "restore civility" following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki has called upon the Republican National Committee (RNC) to overhaul its planned programming for the upcoming convention, citing concerns that it could escalate the country's divisive rhetoric in the wake of the failed assassination attempt against former President Trump.

Appearing on "Meet the Press" Sunday, Psaki expressed her fear following the incident, echoing the sentiments of other panelists who urged for a reduction in divisive political discourse. With the Republican National Convention set to begin on Monday, Psaki believes the party should reconsider its lineup of speakers and programming to alleviate tensions and "restore civility."

Psaki Urges GOP to Moderate Convention Rhetoric after Trump Assassination Attempt

"The convention is starting and unless the programming changes, the rhetoric and how the programming is set up is not actually calming the tone or restoring civility," Psaki stated. "We'll see if that programming changes, but if it stays the same, that is escalating it. It is not a civil approach to a convention."

The Republican National Convention, where Trump will be officially nominated as the GOP's 2024 presidential candidate, is scheduled to proceed with enhanced security measures despite the assassination attempt. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his anticipation for the event, saying, "I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin."

Psaki Urges GOP to Moderate Convention Rhetoric after Trump Assassination Attempt

Psaki, now hosting an MSNBC show, cautioned against using the moment for political gain or platform boosting, emphasizing that such actions "feed into the danger" and could potentially trigger retaliation. "For anyone out there who has a platform who thinks the moment right now is to be political and attack the other party — you are feeding into the danger. You are making it more likely there’s retaliation," she said. "I'm incredibly scared. I'm scared for journalists. I'm scared for people who have public platforms of all parties."

The shooter in the assassination attempt, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from western Pennsylvania, reportedly opened fire from a rooftop perch some 130 yards away, striking the upper part of Trump's right ear before being killed by law enforcement. The former president was rushed off the stage by Secret Service agents, with blood visible on his ear and face.

Psaki Urges GOP to Moderate Convention Rhetoric after Trump Assassination Attempt

Crooks killed one rally attendee and critically wounded two others, prompting Trump to defiantly wave at his supporters as he was escorted off the stage, shouting, "Fight!"

According to voting records, Crooks was a registered Republican who participated in the November 2022 state election. Records indicate that he contributed $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project, a political action committee that supports Democratic candidates and claims to represent "key Democratic constituencies: young people, minorities, and low-income people."

Psaki Urges GOP to Moderate Convention Rhetoric after Trump Assassination Attempt

When contacted by Fox News Digital for comment, the RNC referred to its earlier statement confirming that the convention would proceed as scheduled. Fox News' Scott McDonald contributed to this report.