Attack on GOP lawmakers sharpens political divide

Republicans blame ‘left-wing rhetoric and extremism’ for Wednesday’s shooting, Democrats target lax gun control norms

June 15, 2017 09:20 pm | Updated 09:20 pm IST - Washington

FBI agents at work in the parking lot of the YMCA next to the baseball field at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, the day after House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La. was shot during during a congressional baseball practice.

FBI agents at work in the parking lot of the YMCA next to the baseball field at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, the day after House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La. was shot during during a congressional baseball practice.

Baseball teams of Republican and Democratic lawmakers will wear Louisiana State University (LSU) uniform on Thursday’s charity match between them to show solidarity with Congressman Steve Scalise, who was seriously injured in a shooting rampage on Wednesday, but the incident has only deepened the divisions in American politics. Mr. Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, wears LSU gear in the field, and is in critical condition after a surgery.

Four others were also injured in the incident and the gunman, who posted Facebook messages against President Donald Trump and Republicans, was killed by the police.

“We are strongest when we are unified, and when we work together for the common good,” Mr. Trump said in a measured response. “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said. The sentiments were echoed by Democratic leader in the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosy, but all that may have done little to unify a country where political divide remains deep.

Many Republican lawmakers and commentators blamed “Left wing rhetoric and extremism” for the incident, while Democrats and progressive groups cited the lax gun regulation that allows even serial offenders such as the gunman in this instance to carry weapons.

The 66-year-old man from Illinois named James Hodgkinson had a history of violence, volunteered for Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign and argued for higher taxes on the rich. Democrats and rights groups had blamed the President’s campaign for the spate in violence against immigrants, such as the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in February.

Laura Ingraham, a popular, conservative radio host, said on Twitter: “Dems' wearing LSU uniform at Cong baseball game’s a nice gesture. Denouncing hateful, violent rhetoric & imagery wd be more significant.” Joe Walsh, former GOP Congressman-turned-radio-host, tweeted: “An evil leftist targeted Republicans.” Newt Gingrich, former Speaker and a staunch supporter of Mr. Trump, said, the “Left-wing rhetoric” has sent a “signal” that “it’s okay to hate Trump, it’s okay to think of Trump in violent terms”. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), said: “Political rhetorical terrorism” led to the incident.

Divergent positions

Democrats and progressive groups have called for more effective gun control to prevent such situations, but on that topic too, both camps have taken entirely divergent positions. After Mr. Trump’s victory, the National Rifle Association has launched a new camping with Republican supporters in the U.S. Congress to remove the limited restrictions on firearms that exist today.

Meanwhile, another Republican lawmaker from New York Claudia Tenney received a threatening email soon after the shooting incidence. “One down, 216 to go,” it said, referring to the halfway mark in the House. “Did you NOT expect this? When you take away ordinary people’s very lives in order to pay off the wealthiest among us, your own lives are forfeit. Certainly, your souls and morality were lost long before. Good riddance,” the email went on to say.

Incidents of threats of violence against politicians have been on the rise. Kim Weaver, the Democratic nominee who planned to challenge Republican Representative Steve King in Iowa withdrew from the contest citing threats to her life.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.