Democrats Deny Prayer for Slain Conservative Activist in Divisive House Session
In the wake of the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York attempted to shift blame for the killing to Second Amendment supporters. Speaking to reporters in front of the Capitol building on Thursday, Ocasio-Cortez stated that members of Congress who have opposed gun control legislation have no right to “finger-point” at others for the rising tide of political violence.
“People can finger-point all they want. Look at the record, look at the actions of what we are doing,” Ocasio-Cortez said to reporters. “I don’t think a single person who has dedicated their entire career to preventing gun safety legislation from getting passed in this House has any right to blame anybody else but themselves for what is happening.”
READ: University Of Michigan Professor: Charlie Kirk’s Assassination Is A ‘Solution’ To ‘Violent Rhetoric’
Ocasio-Cortez’s comments come amidst a deeply polarized political climate, where both sides of the aisle are pointing fingers in the wake of political violence.
The congresswoman invoked the recent killing of Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortmann of Minnesota and her husband. The accused killer of Hortmann claimed he was acting on behalf of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota.
Ocasio-Cortez also joined other Democrats, including Senators Adam Schiff, Chris Murphy, and Elizabeth Warren, in invoking the January 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Ocasio-Cortez has previously called for regulating conservative media and has characterized pro-Hamas protestors as “peaceful,” despite dozens of arrests.
READ: Florida Democrat Faces Outrage After Mocking Charlie Kirk’s Assassination In Vile Post
The political tensions surrounding Kirk’s death were on full display in the House on Wednesday. Democrats refused to allow a prayer for Kirk after the news of the shooting, shouting down a request from Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado.
The incident triggered an angry outburst from Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, who shouted, “Y’all caused this!” and “You f***ing own this!” Luna, a former Director of Hispanic Outreach at TPUSA, was visibly emotional during the exchange.
Inflammatory Rhetoric from Democratic Leaders
Kirk, who founded TPUSA in 2012, was a prominent conservative voice, hosting “The Charlie Kirk Show,” a podcast and radio show on the Salem Radio Network. His assassination has become the latest flashpoint in the national debate over political violence and rhetoric.
The discussion has been fueled by what many see as a pattern of inflammatory statements from Democratic leaders.
READ: FBI Releases Photos Of Person Of Interest In Charlie Kirk Assassination
For example, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has made several statements that have drawn criticism. He once urged his party to “be a little meaner” and “bully the s*** out of him back” in reference to President Donald Trump. He also repeatedly referred to Trump as “the felon in the White House” and drew sharp criticism for a comment comparing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the “modern-day Gestapo.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has also been a frequent source of controversy. He has stated that Republicans “cannot know a moment of peace,” and has repeatedly compared Trump’s actions and rhetoric to those of Nazi Germany. In response to a potential federal intervention to address crime, he directly addressed Trump, stating, “Mr. President, do not come to Chicago. You are neither wanted here nor needed here.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has also been criticized for his strong language. He once said that Democrats would “fight it in the streets,” a comment that critics interpreted as a call to violence. He has also accused the Republican Party of being invaded by the “ghosts of the Confederacy” and has referred to Trump as a “racial arsonist.”
These examples, among others from leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, are often cited by conservatives as evidence of a broader pattern of rhetoric that they believe contributes to a hostile and dangerous environment.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
