Texas Democrats condemn assassination attempt of Trump as ‘political violence’

(The Center Square) – Republican and Democratic leaders in Texas are condemning the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump.

While Republicans have referred to it as an assassination attempt and used it as a rallying cry to support Trump’s reelection bid for president, members of Texas’ Democratic congressional delegation have described it as “political violence” and most don’t mention President Joe Biden in their remarks.

One congressional Democrat appeared to blame Trump for the shooting and a Democratic state senator used the shooting as an opportunity to advance his anti-gun position.

The Democratic Party of Texas had yet to issue a statement as of 2 p.m. Central on Sunday, but nearly all Democrats in Texas’ congressional delegation condemned the attack Saturday night.

None described what happened as an assassination attempt. Nearly all expressed concern for the wellbeing of Trump, his family, and those attending the rally.

U.S. Reps. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas, Henry Cuellar of Laredo, Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, Veronica Escobar of El Paso, Sylvia Garcia of Houston, Vicente Gonzalez of Brownsville and Lizzie Fletcher of Houston issued separate statements condemning the act of “political violence.” They said, “political violence in all forms must be condemned,” “has no place in our country,” is “absolutely unacceptable,” is “never acceptable” is “never the answer” and “has no place in our country.”

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar of San Antonio agreed with a statement of Biden’s expressing concern for Trump’s wellbeing and said, “political violence – against Trump or anyone else – has no place in our politics or our country.”

U.S. Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee of Houston, said, “The violence that occurred today at a political rally is deeply disturbing and goes counter to everything the United States represents as the world's oldest democracy. Political violence has no place in the United States. This incident should be a catalyst for renewing our commitment to not allow violence to infect the political life of our nation.”

U.S. Rep. Al Green of Houston called for unity. Referring to the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., he said, “Dr. King was right, we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or perish together as fools. My thoughts and prayers are with you @realDonaldTrump, the family of the life lost as well as those who were injured.”

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin appeared to blame Trump for Saturday’s attack. He said, “Violence begets violence, whether directed at Trump or inspired by him. I strongly condemn all acts of violence and hope that with quick law-enforcement action, all are safe at the Trump rally and he has suffered no lasting damage. In America, we must make our voices heard by ballots, not bullets.”

Doggett was the first Democratic member of Congress to call for Biden to step down and not run for reelection.

Commentors on X, formerly known as Twitter, criticized Doggett’s statement, saying, “it was a trash statement by a coward” and Doggett is a “horrible human being.” Others said his comment was “horrendous,” “ghoulish,” “disgusting,” and called on him to “resign in shame.”

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth appears to be the only Democrat in the Texas congressional delegation who did not issue a statement.

One state senator used the shooting as an opportunity to express his support for gun control.

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, said, “Guns have no place at political rallies. Or in elementary schools. Or churches. Or grocery stores. It’s time to stop this madness America.”

While the majority of Democratic state senators don’t appear to have issued a statement, state Sen. Cesar Blanco, D-El Paso, did, expressing concern for Trump and those at the rally. He also condemned the shooting as “political violence,” saying, “there is no place for [it] in our democracy.”

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The chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, has yet to issue a statement. The caucus’ first vice-chair, state Rep. Gene Wu, has yet to issue a statement but on the day of the shooting shared a social media post referring to Trump as “convict, a rapist and a cheater.”

General Counsel for the caucus, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, expressed concern for Trump and condemned political violence. She said, “I hope Donald Trump is ok and the shooter is caught and anyone responsible is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We forfeit our democracy before the election even happens if we don’t condemn violence and do what is in our power to keep violence out of our politics.”