Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, was heavily criticized online over the weekend for signing up for missiles that could be sent to Russian assets in the Ukraine war.
Shapiro, who is seen as the runner-up to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, posted a video of himself signing a missile at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP) in Biden's hometown.
“From the workers in Scranton who make Pennsylvania the arsenal of democracy to the brave Ukrainian soldiers defending our homeland, we must all do our part in the fight for freedom,” Shapiro captioned the video.
“We support Ukraine in its legitimate defense of its homeland in the face of Russian aggression.”
But there has been a strong reaction from the right, with conservative commentator David Harris Jr. saying the situation shows “the Democrats are now the party of war, and they're proud of it. It's sad.”
“The United States should be negotiating peace, not fuelling war,” added Republican Senator Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.
“I am 100% against this, as are most Americans,” she wrote on “X,” the platform formerly known as Twitter. “The United States gives the Ukrainian government $1 billion a month in aid to keep it running, and funds much of its war by providing weapons, ammunition and equipment.”
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Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at a Harris-Waltz rally in Pennsylvania. (AP Photo)
Other critics contrasted the sign with Shapiro's criticism of former President Trump.
“Zelensky essentially endorsed Kamala in Pennsylvania while signing ammo with Josh Shapiro,” Philadelphia commentator Joey Mannarino wrote on X.
“He called Trump and Vance 'extremists' and said Trump has no idea how to end the war. How can this not be illegal, coming from someone we are funding?”
Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, who is in a tough re-election battle against businessman David McCormick, was seen shaking hands with Zelenskiy while Shapiro wrote the message on the missile.
Other critics pointed out that while Shapiro, Zelensky and Casey were touring the weapons factory, unrest was erupting elsewhere in the Commonwealth.
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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speaks during a roll call of states at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 20, 2024. (Reuters/Kevin Wurm)
Jack Posobiec, a Philadelphia native, right-wing commentator and senior editor at Human Events magazine, shared a video of the city being caught up in an illegal “car meet” and the police action in response.
At least three people were arrested, and law enforcement officials told WCAU they have photos of numerous individuals who took over Center City, set off fireworks, did donuts with cars, injured a police officer, caused mayhem until the early hours of the morning and inconvenienced neighbors.
Video posted to X also appears to show an Apple store in Center City being looted on Monday night.
“This was happening in Philadelphia while Josh Shapiro was taking selfies with artillery shells and Zelensky,” Posobiec said on X.
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The former Central Scranton Expressway (now the President Biden Expressway) branches off from Interstate 81 towards Binghamton, New York. (Charles Crates)
In an official statement, Governor Shapiro said Pennsylvania is the “birthplace of American freedom” and that Pennsylvanians stand with the people of Ukraine in the fight against “blatant aggression.”
He also said Pennsylvania plans to sign an agreement with Ukraine's Zaporizhia Oblast “that will foster cooperation for years to come.”
Regarding the agreement, Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development Rick Seger said: He told WHTM The agreement will “support Ukraine's future economic revitalization while also boosting our nation's economy and creating jobs for Pennsylvanians.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Shapiro and Casey for further comment but had not heard back at the time of writing.
