Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemned political violence in the wake of the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, but, in the same breath, argued that President Trump's "rhetoric often forments it." (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
"And I would just say, it's got to stop, and I think there are people who are fomenting it in this country," he continued. "I think the president's rhetoric often foments it. We've seen the January 6th rioters who clearly have tripped a new era of political violence and the president, what did he do? He pardoned them. I mean what kind of signal does that send to people who want to perpetrate political violence? Not a good one."
The governor referenced an incident in June in which Vance Boelter was charged with murdering former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, her husband, Mark, and their dog at their home in Minneapolis.
Boelter was also charged with shooting Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, and for attempting to shoot their daughter, Hope.
The incidents cited by Pritzker are just some of several acts of political violence in recent years, as Trump experienced two assassination attempts last year and Paul Pelosi, the husband of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was attacked with a hammer in 2022.
Arizonans mourn Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. (Getty Images)
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"That’s not leadership—it’s cowardice. Illinois deserves leaders who take responsibility, who defend free speech, and who stand up for what’s right. Unfortunately, JB Pritzker has shown time and time again that he’s not up to the task," Bailey added.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/jb-pritzker-condemns-political-violence-after-charlie-kirks-death-says-trumps-rhetoric-often-foments-it