Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki has called on the Republican National Committee to overhaul the programming for its upcoming convention to avoid an “escalation” of national discourse in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Appearing on “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Psaki said she felt “scared” in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump, echoing other panelists who called for the country to refrain from divisive political rhetoric.
Ahead of the Republican National Convention getting underway on Monday, Psaki said the party should adjust scheduled speakers and programming to ease tensions and “restore civility.”
Psaki said there was a “pause” in calls among Democrats that Biden should withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, but that the convention could reignite the debate.
“The convention is underway, but unless the program changes, the rhetoric and the structure of the program is not going to actually lighten the mood or restore civility,” Psaki said.
“It remains to be seen whether that program will change, but if it stays the same, things will escalate. This is not a respectful approach to the Games.”
The Republican National Convention, where Trump will be formally nominated as the Republican Party’s standard-bearer for 2024, will “go ahead” under tight security despite the assassination attempt on Trump, according to the convention and the Trump campaign.
“I love this country with all my heart and I love you all, and I look forward to speaking to our great nation from Wisconsin this week,” Trump posted to Truth Social on Sunday morning.
Psaki, who now hosts an MSNBC show, said those who use the opportunity to further their own politics or shore up policies are “stoking danger” and risking “retaliation.”
“Anyone with a platform who thinks now is the time to get political and attack the other party is contributing to danger. They’re increasing the likelihood of retaliation,” she said.
“I’m very scared. I’m scared of journalists. I’m scared of people with public platforms from all political parties.”
The shooter was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from western Pennsylvania.
Before being shot and killed by police, Crooks reportedly fired a shot at Trump from a rooftop about 130 yards away, hitting him above the right ear.
The former president, visibly covered in blood, was hurried off the stage by Secret Service agents.
Crooks killed one protester and seriously injured two others.
Blood pouring from his ears and face, Trump waved defiantly to his supporters and yelled “Fight!” as he was hustled off the stage by Secret Service agents.
According to voting records, Crooks was a registered Republican but only participated in the Nov. 8, 2022 state election because of his age.
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Records show he donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project, a Chicago-based political action committee that supports Democratic candidates for office and claims to advocate for “the Democratic Party’s core constituencies: young people, minorities and low-income voters.”
Reached for comment by Fox News Digital, the Republican National Committee pointed to an earlier statement that the convention would go ahead as scheduled.
