Senator Critiques Sensitivity in Political Rhetoric

During a segment on NewsMax TV’s “American Agenda,” Senator Adam Smith (D-WA) expressed concerns about the sensitivity people have towards opposing rhetoric.

Smith remarked, “It’s perhaps the biggest issue we face. We often ask, what is rhetoric? We can’t condone violence based on words. It’s about understanding the impact those words can have.” He emphasized that the focus should not solely be on rhetoric.

He observed a shift over the past 10 to 15 years, noting that society has transitioned from a representative democracy that values free speech and open debate to a more advocacy-driven culture. “It seems we’ve forgotten that we coexist in a society. If everyone agrees with my viewpoint, that creates another layer of the problem,” he explained.

Smith added, “Another aspect of this issue is our heightened sensitivity to rhetoric. I’ve been engaged in political discourse since my teen years and have encountered various arguments. But sometimes, it feels like we are losing sight of the broader discussion.”