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Republican and Democratic leaders spoke out in strong terms on Wednesday against political violence after explosive devices were found in the mailboxes of former President Barack Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
“These attempted attacks that have been made are beyond criminal, they are acts of pure terror,” tweeted Steve Scalise, the House majority whip, who was shot at a congressional baseball practice last year.
“Violence is never OK,” wrote Ted Cruz, the Senate candidate from Texas.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for unity between the two parties on Tuesday, saying “radicals” attack public figures across the political spectrum.
“Regardless of who is responsible, these acts are wrong and must be condemned by Democrats and Republicans alike. Period,” he tweeted.
The White House itself, meanwhile, issued a statement, and Vice President Mike Pence tweeted a statement:
We condemn the attempted attacks against fmr Pres Obama, the Clintons, @CNN & others. These cowardly actions are despicable & have no place in this Country. Grateful for swift response of @SecretService, @FBI & local law enforcement. Those responsible will be brought to justice.
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 24, 2018
President Trump retweeted him, saying, “I agree wholeheartedly!”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement:
I stand with all Americans in condemning today’s attempted acts of domestic terrorism. As we continue to learn more, Americans are united in gratitude for the first responders — the Secret Service, the Postal Service, and other law enforcement — who protect our leaders and public figures from such unconscionable acts.
Vermont Sen. Ben Sanders wrote in a series of tweets that the violence was “gravely disturbing”:
In this country we battle with words and ideas, not fists and bombs.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 24, 2018
Acts of violence, appeals to violence and condoning violence have no place in American society.
House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted that “Those behind such reprehensible acts must be brought to justice”:
Those behind such reprehensible acts must be brought to justice. We cannot tolerate any attempt to terrorize public figures. I am grateful to the @SecretService, Capitol Police, and all law enforcement who guard against these threats. https://t.co/HUQQxynU9h
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) October 24, 2018
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi thanked first responders in a tweet:
Once again, we are reminded of the heroism of America’s first responders as they work to counter these attempted attacks. The goal of terrorists is to instill fear. We will not allow them to diminish our commitment to building a brighter future for communities across America.
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) October 24, 2018
Scalise wrote in a series of tweets:
Those responsible for these evil acts of terror must be hunted down and brought to justice, and I have great confidence that our law enforcement officers will succeed in that mission. As a nation, we must agree that this is a dangerous path and it cannot become the new normal.
— Rep. Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) October 24, 2018
Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and a White House adviser, tweeted, “There is no excuse”:
I strongly condemn the attempted acts of violence against President Obama, the Clinton family, @CNN & others. There is no excuse—America is better than this.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) October 24, 2018
Gratitude to the @SecretService and law enforcement for all they do to keep this nation safe.
Cruz tweeted that “we should always be civil and respect each other’s humanity”:
Violence is never OK. Reports of bombs sent to the homes of Obama, Clinton, and Soros are deeply, deeply disturbing. America is better than this. Political disagreements are fine, even healthy, but we should always be civil and respect each other’s humanity.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 24, 2018
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted that political violence “has no place in our democracy”:
Violence against private citizens, public officials and media organizations has no place in our democracy. I am thankful for the bold and swift action of law enforcement to ensure no one was hurt. https://t.co/2Y6FwPJ5WJ
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) October 24, 2018
