Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Trump’s Threatening Rhetoric And Dangerous Calls For Political Violence
Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to condemn Donald Trump’s repeated escalations in dangerous rhetoric, including his latest call for the execution of Democratic elected officials, and to warn that this type of alarming language continues to fuel the rising threat of political violence across the country. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:
Earlier today, Donald Trump shared a post on Truth Social calling for Democratic members of Congress to be hanged. He also posted a message that said, “Seditious behavior, punishable by death!”
Let’s be crystal clear: the President of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and it’s deadly serious. We have already seen what happens when Donald Trump tells his followers that his political opponents are enemies of the state.
Every time Donald Trump posts things like this, he makes political violence more likely. None of us should tolerate this kind of behavior.
We all remember what January 6th was like. We lived through January 6th. We have lived through the assassinations and attempted assassinations this year. We have members whose families have had to flee their homes.
When Donald Trump uses the language of execution and treason, some of his supporters may very well listen. He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline. Every Senator, every Representative, every American—regardless of party—should condemn this immediately and without qualification. Because if we don’t draw a line here, then there is no line left to draw. Who would have thought the President of the United States would say his opponents should be hanged? It's outrageous.
No president has ever stooped as low as Donald Trump—none. He has made political violence a feature of his politics, and if we don't draw a line here, there's no line left to draw. And yet, today he crossed yet another line that no democracy can afford to tolerate.
He must be condemned—forcefully, loudly, and without excuses—before someone takes his words as permission to do the unthinkable. Anything less enables the flames of hatred to grow and spread.
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