In his speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also called on his colleagues from both sides of the aisle to speak out and condemn these violent acts
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke about the politically motivated, targeted, and deadly assassination and assassination attempt of elected officials in Minnesota this weekend and called on his colleagues from both sides of the aisle to speak out and condemn these violent acts.
“Over the weekend, while most of the country slept, a gunman targeted two Minnesota state legislators in their homes. He pretended to be a police officer, and he gunned down Democratic state legislator John Hoffman and his wife. Fortunately, they survived and are recovering from surgery and reportedly in stable condition. We pray for State Senator Hoffman and his wife’s full recovery,” Durbin said. “Then the gunman attacked another Democratic state legislator with over 20 years of service, Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark. She and her husband leave behind two children. These killings are not only horrifying for Minnesota, but a tragedy for America. This heinous act of political violence defies American values and democracy.”
Durbin continued, “Unfortunately, we have seen a disturbing increase in political violence in recent years, seemingly as part of a misguided and sickening attempt to strike fear and intimidation in the hearts of the American people and those who are engaged in public service. Violence and hate have no place in America. Leaders on both sides of the aisle must speak out and condemn these violent acts. I have said this repeatedly, it bears repeating: political violence from the right or the left is never—never—acceptable and is never the answer.”
Durbin then spoke out against the radical language we see online and even from some of his Senate colleagues. One Republican Senator tweeted a picture of the Minnesota shooter, and wrote, “This is what happens when Marxists don’t get their way.” He tweeted another picture of the shooter, and wrote, “Nightmare on Waltz Street,” an apparent attempt to blame Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for the shooting. Another Republican Senator tweeted about the shooting, “The degree to which the extreme left has become radical, violent, and intolerant is both stunning and terrifying.”
“To attempt to politicize this tragedy is absolutely unacceptable. This rhetoric from elected officials is beyond dangerous and incites even more violence. It is reprehensible, and it must be called out—on both sides of the aisle—both sides of the aisle,” Durbin said. “Because in the land of the free and the home of the brave, everyone should feel safe expressing their political views—and we must never do so in a way that condones violence or intimidation.”
Durbin concluded, “I pray for Minnesota during this heartbreaking time and vow to continue to denounce and combat political violence of any kind.”
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
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