Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) appeared on CNN’s “The Lead With Jake Tapper” recently, expressing concern that the level of political rhetoric needs to decrease significantly.
During the discussion, host Jake Tapper criticized the left for labeling individuals on the right as “extremists,” “fascists,” and “Nazis,” particularly in reference to Kash Patel’s testimony before a Senate Judiciary Committee.
“You should really take a look for yourself,” Schmidt remarked. “And don’t throw around this ‘sided’ nonsense.”
Fitzpatrick noted, after viewing the clip, “I think the rhetoric needs to tone down across the board. No one should be yelling at committee hearings. It’s not productive. This is a moment when we can draw a connection between such incidents and the increase in hate speech we’ve seen in America.”
This hearing was Patel’s first public appearance in front of lawmakers following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, which was recorded on September 10 at Utah Valley University.
Following Kirk’s death, Republicans voiced frustration toward Democrats and the media, asserting that their language has incited violence.
In a video released just hours after Kirk’s passing, former President Trump stated that comparisons drawn by Kirk and others to Nazis and leftist figures “are directly responsible for the terrorism we see in our country today.”
Other Republican figures, such as Reps. Nancy Mace (SC), Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.), Derrick Van Orden (Wis.), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), echoed similar sentiments. Greene mentioned on social media that the left seems to want “us all to die.”
Republican leaders have been targeting leftist groups and individuals who celebrated Kirk’s death online, raising concerns among free speech advocates in light of his murder.
Fitzpatrick emphasized the need for leaders to remain “calm, cool, and collected,” advocating for a reduction in heated discourse.
“Regardless of your position, every leader should act as a responsible adult and recognize the significance of their words,” he remarked.
His comments come amidst escalating fears of political violence in the wake of Kirk’s assassination. In recent years, Trump has survived two apparent assassination attempts, and there have been incidents of violence directed at political figures, including a Minnesota senator and her husband being shot at home.
