Shapiro Condemns Political Violence After Kirk’s Assassination

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania’s Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, strongly denounced all forms of political violence in light of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, which occurred the previous week.

Shapiro, who previously survived a firebomb attack at his home in April, criticized former President Donald Trump for what he perceives as selective condemnation following Kirk’s murder at an event in Utah.

“All forms of violence are unacceptable,” he stressed during his address at the Global Summit of Plunder and Hate held in Pittsburgh. “Political violence is particularly threatening. It’s not just about causing harm or even death, but it also involves the threats and intimidation tactics used to silence others.”

In his speech, Shapiro referenced other recent violent political incidents, including last year’s attempted assassination of Trump and the murder of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband this year.

In the wake of Kirk’s assassination, Trump addressed the media, condemning what he termed the “radical left.” In various interviews, he pointed fingers at a, well, “funny group of left-handed madmen,” as he described them.

Despite Trump’s remarks, Shapiro indirectly criticized Trump without naming him, saying, “In times like these, we all have a duty to denounce political violence without hesitation. It shouldn’t be difficult.” 

Shapiro added that cherry-picking which instances of political violence to condemn only deepens divisions, making recovery more challenging. He expressed concern that such selective condemnation could potentially encourage further violence among those who may interpret it as a sort of permission slip.