White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday against comments from former President Donald Trump blaming their rhetoric for a second apparent assassination attempt against him over the weekend.
Biden and Harris have always forcefully condemned violence in all forms, including political violence, and have never encouraged any violence in any way, Jean-Pierre stated during the White House briefing.
In a Monday interview, Trump attributed Sunday's failed assassination attempt to Biden and Harris, claiming that their rhetoric was the cause of the incident. He alleged that the suspect acted based on the beliefs instilled by the current administration.
Responding to comments made by GOP vice presidential hopeful JD Vance, who suggested a difference between conservatives and liberals in terms of assassination attempts, Jean-Pierre expressed concern over such rhetoric. She emphasized the importance of toning down political violent rhetoric to prevent further escalation.
The exchange highlights the ongoing political tensions and accusations between the current administration and former President Trump. The White House continues to stand by its stance against violence and calls for a more civil discourse in political discussions.