‘Only Reaction’ to Assassination Attempt ‘That Matters’ Would Be Trump Renouncing Violence

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said in an interview with MSNBC on Monday that “the only response that matters here” to the assassination attempt on former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is “for both parties to condemn the use of violence in politics. I pray that Donald Trump will renounce violence this week, but knowing Donald Trump, I don’t think he will.”

“I’m not going to force you into the conversation we were having about your reaction to what happened Saturday night, but I would love to hear your thoughts on that, and I would also love to hear your reaction to your fellow senator, Sen. Vance (R-Ohio), being selected as President Trump’s running mate,” host Rachel Maddow said.

Murphy said, “First of all, your conversation was very important and I think what you said at the beginning was the most important. The only response that matters here is for both parties to condemn the use of violence in politics. It wasn’t that long ago that transitions of power in civilization were made by violence, that economic, social and political interests were driven by violence. The world has had great transitions over the last 2000 years. That doesn’t happen very often now, but if we’re all on the brink and that becomes the norm, we could lose our peaceful civilization and our reliance on peaceful transitions of power. Listen, I’m just worried that we know exactly what kind of person Donald Trump is. We can only hope that he uses this week to change. He has the opportunity to do so. The worst act of political violence in the recent history of this country was January 6th. And just two weeks ago, just a week ago, Donald Trump praised those who stormed the Capitol and promised to pardon those who tried to kill me and others who were trying to do the people’s job and certify Joe Biden’s victory. I pray that Donald Trump renounces violence this week. Knowing Donald Trump, I don’t think he will.”