Zeldin Condemns Escalating Democratic Rhetoric Leading to Trump Assassination Attempt

Former Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin decried the escalating verbal and physical attacks against Republicans, arguing that heightened anti-Trump rhetoric has contributed to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

Former New York Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin expressed his weariness and condemnation of the escalating verbal and physical attacks directed towards members of the Republican party, particularly in the context of the recent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. Zeldin asserts that the heightened anti-Trump and anti-GOP rhetoric propagated by the Democratic party over the years has contributed to the dangerous climate that culminated in Saturday's incident.

Zeldin's remarks were made during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he responded to President Biden's retraction of his "bullseye" comment regarding Trump. Zeldin emphasized that the verbal assaults against Republicans have not been an isolated occurrence, but rather a persistent and escalating pattern.

Zeldin Condemns Escalating Democratic Rhetoric Leading to Trump Assassination Attempt

Recalling incidents such as the shooting of Representative Steve Scalise, the assault on Senator Rand Paul, and the targeting of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Zeldin argued that the situation has reached a critical point. He stressed the importance of settling political differences through the electoral process rather than resorting to violence or extrajudicial means.

Zeldin specifically cited the rapid succession of events after Trump announced his presidential bid in 2022. He pointed to the appointment of Jack Smith as special counsel, the presence of Georgia prosecutor Nathan Wade in the White House Counsel's Office, and the resignation of DOJ official Matthew Colangelo in anticipation of Trump's indictment in a New York criminal case. These actions, Zeldin alleged, occurred within nine days of President Biden's statement suggesting the need for pursuing non-electoral avenues to remove Trump from office.

Zeldin Condemns Escalating Democratic Rhetoric Leading to Trump Assassination Attempt

Zeldin rejected the notion that such a series of events could be mere coincidences, arguing that the pattern of aggressive rhetoric and legal maneuvers against Trump has created a climate conducive to violence. He called for a return to civility and a focus on resolving political disagreements through democratic processes, rather than threats and intimidation.

"Let's truly focus on settling the score at the ballot box," Zeldin implored. "Let's not have to focus on crazy criminal cases and trying to bankrupt the president and all these other attempts that threaten safety."

Zeldin Condemns Escalating Democratic Rhetoric Leading to Trump Assassination Attempt

Zeldin's remarks resonated with the Republican audience at the convention, who expressed their shared concerns about the escalating violence and threats against their party members. They vowed to hold the perpetrators of such actions accountable and to defend the values of democracy and civility in the face of adversity.