Scalise Responds to Political Violence Concerns

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), who narrowly escaped a politically motivated assassination attempt, recently addressed the violent rhetoric from a notable Democratic lawmaker during an interview with Blaze News.

Scalise recounted the harrowing experience from 2017 when a left-wing gunman opened fire at a Republican Congressional Baseball practice in Virginia. He, along with three others, sustained injuries, but fortunately, all survived the attack.

“I know firsthand what can happen,” Scalise said, reflecting on that day. He expressed that it’s a miracle he made it through. “God was there at that ballpark,” he remarked.

He characterized the shooter as a “left-wing lunatic” whose intent was to kill Republicans. “It’s crazy. But unfortunately, it’s become too prevalent,” Scalise added, highlighting a troubling trend in political violence.

In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, Scalise noted that such ideologically driven violence has become disturbingly common. He referenced two recent assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump, one of which got alarmingly close to success.

“These acts of violence are shocking, but they’re not just targeted at politicians,” he noted. For instance, in September, a college event at Utah Valley University ended in tragedy with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, where law enforcement later discovered shell casings adorned with politically charged messages.

While some might argue that political violence is a mutual issue, Scalise insists otherwise. He firmly believes that anyone promoting or utilizing violence should be condemned, regardless of their political alignment. “But it seems like more and more attacks are coming from the left,” he said, explaining that certain narratives used against political opponents can incite dangerous actions.

“They think if they label you a Nazi, it’s an invitation for violence,” he continued. It’s disturbing to think such ideologies are taking root. “It’s like a dog whistle saying, ‘Kill that person.’”

Scalise expressed alarm at the violent rhetoric surfacing from some left-wing figures, specifically referencing recent texts from Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general, Jay Jones. In those messages, Jones mentioned wishing harm upon a political opponent and making ominous remarks about his own family.

“Are you sure you want to elect that person to be your state’s law enforcement officer?” Scalise questioned, emphasizing the need for officials to publicly condemn such rhetoric instead of ignoring it for political gain. “This is a gut test of integrity,” he remarked. If political advancement takes precedence over civility, that’s concerning.