According to information obtained by The Washington Post, the city administration, led by Mayor Eric Adams, is asking city council members to sign a letter calling for a “peaceful political process” in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
“We cannot allow a single, horrific act of political violence perpetrated against former President Trump over the weekend to escalate into greater conflict and discord,” the message, obtained by The Post on Friday, said.
“We must say enough is enough. Enough with the violent political rhetoric. Enough with pitting groups of Americans against each other. And enough with spreading this kind of hatred online and in the real world.”
The letter was attached to an email sent by city officials on Friday to lawmakers and nonprofits, urging them to sign and commit to a “safer, stronger, and more peaceful democracy.”
The committee called on lawmakers to have “thoughtful discussions” and ensure the safety of people at polling stations, as well as to “respect the will of the voters and participate in the peaceful transfer of power.”
“What we are calling for is a massive de-escalation of the current toxic political rhetoric, and we call on our friends, fellow citizens and supporters to do the same,” the letter said.
“Each of these signatures will help renew and rebuild the foundations of our democracy, which has served as a beacon of freedom, equality and justice around the world,” it added.
Several political figures raised eyebrows at the move and questioned the mayor’s decision to take such a hardline stance on the issue.
One city council source suggested the letter had “no purpose other than to allow the Mayor to demonstrate his integrity to a national audience.”
“The mayor may think this will help him get back in Biden’s good graces,” the source added. Relations between the two have appeared strained since Adams has publicly criticized Biden’s handling of the border crisis.
Another source called the move “shameless” and suggested Adams was trying to get closer to Trump “by putting on a show with Republicans.”
“Where was he when extremists were targeting non-Republicans?” the Democratic operative said.
Others praised the mayor and said it was important for the city and country to come together in condemning political violence.
“What happened to President Trump is reprehensible and should be condemned unequivocally,” said City Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens).
“People are tired of the vitriolic attacks from both sides, and I think the mayor knows that,” added City Councilwoman Joan Arriola (R-Queens).
A city hall official confirmed the letter was part of a unity pledge Adams made over the weekend. It was not immediately clear how many people had signed it.
Adams stood with faith and political leaders on Sunday to condemn the violence after a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, wounding the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.
“We’ve been watching over the kids. [be] “I became radicalized to the point where I was against everything,” he said at the time.
“Extreme ideas have basically hijacked what we feel as a country and what we stand for.
The shooter, later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, climbed onto the roof of a manufacturing plant 130 yards from where Trump was speaking and opened fire on the Republican candidate.
Trump exclusively revealed to The Washington Post on Sunday that he was “supposed to be dead.”
