Former New York Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin expressed his concerns over the escalating anti-Trump and anti-GOP rhetoric that has led to verbal and physical attacks on Republicans. Zeldin highlighted recent incidents and called for an end to the divisive language and actions.
During the Republican National Convention, Zeldin addressed the issue, citing examples such as comments made by individuals like Dan Goldman and Bennie Thompson that he deemed as inflammatory. Zeldin specifically mentioned a comment about President Trump needing to be eliminated and Thompson's aide expressing disappointment that a recent shooter had missed the President.
Reflecting on President Biden's recent statement about putting Trump in a bullseye, Zeldin emphasized the need to avoid violent rhetoric and actions. He referenced past incidents such as the shooting of Steve Scalise, the attack on Rand Paul, and the targeting of Justice Kavanaugh as evidence of the ongoing trend of aggression towards Republicans.
Zeldin stressed the importance of resolving political differences through the electoral process and condemned efforts to undermine Trump's presidency through non-democratic means. He called for an end to the excessive hostility and urged for a return to civil discourse in political discourse.
In conclusion, Zeldin emphasized the need to address the pervasive culture of animosity and violence in political discourse. He called for a collective effort to promote respect and peaceful resolution of disagreements, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles and rejecting tactics that incite violence and division.