Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Slamming President Trump and Republican Leadership’s Silence On Violent Rhetoric In A Young Republicans Group Chat

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on the profoundly violent and hateful messages made in a Young Republicans group chat, and the deafening silence from Republican officials despite rising political violence. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

It’s been two days since Politico published a horrifying story revealing thousands of private messages containing racist, sexist, and violent comments from prominent members of the Young Republicans organization.

And yet, President Trump and the Republican leadership have remained silent. There’s nothing but radio silence from Republican leaders, who seem to claim they worry about combating political violent rhetoric.

The silence from Republican leaders in the face of Hitler jokes and gas chamber jokes is absolutely deafening. Where are they? When they don't like somebody who says something on the left, they're the first to criticize it. Well, this is one of the nastiest, most vicious things we've ever seen written – by Republicans, no less – and the Republican leadership, including President Trump, is silent.

As I said, Republicans never miss a chance to preach about violent rhetoric when it comes from the other side, and of course that should be condemned, but now that it’s coming from their own ranks, they are silent.

Some Republicans seem to even excuse this vile behavior. This is amazing. The Vice President of the United States, no less, JD Vance dismissed the messages as just a college group chat. Can you imagine if it was a group of people on the left saying some things? Would he say the same thing?

A college group chat? Does JD Vance really think glorifying Hitler and gas chambers is just a silly joke?

Imagine if it came from the other side. We all know that Vice President Vance would be losing his mind right now. He’d be all over Fox News decrying it. But now since it's coming from his own ranks, he is just excusing it. It’s despicable, disgraceful, and shameful.

No matter if you’re Republican, Democrat, or in the middle, we must all condemn this nasty behavior and make it clear this type of vicious rhetoric is unacceptable in America.

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