Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) strongly criticized his Republican counterparts on Sunday for their silence in response to President Donald Trump’s repeated attacks on a group of Democratic lawmakers. Kelly expressed his disappointment in the lack of condemnation from Republicans in Congress, referring to it as “crickets.”
Trump has made inflammatory statements targeting six Democrats, including endorsing a post that suggested hanging them, invoking George Washington. In another post, he accused the Democrats of “sedition,” a crime punishable by death. These statements were in response to a video made by Democratic veterans and former intelligence officers, urging service members to refuse illegal orders.
Democratic lawmakers, including Kelly and Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who were featured in the video, have faced an increase in threats following Trump’s posts. Slotkin even received a bomb threat targeting her home, prompting around-the-clock security.
While the White House press secretary denied that Trump was calling for the executions of Democrats, Republican reactions have been subdued. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed Trump’s remarks as “heated rhetoric” and did not call for an apology.
Only a few Republicans, such as Sens. Rand Paul, Lindsey Graham, and Thom Tillis, have offered more direct criticisms of Trump’s statements. Kelly questioned the lack of response from Republicans, contrasting it with their quick condemnation of rhetoric that could incite political violence in other instances.
The article also highlights how Democratic lawmakers have condemned Trump’s statements, called for him to retract them, and expressed concerns about the potential for political violence. It emphasizes the need for accountability and leadership in addressing such inflammatory rhetoric.
