SEATTLE — After the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, leaders and pundits across the political spectrum have put out statements condemning political violence, calling for unity, and an end to inflammatory rhetoric.
"You always hope this is never going to happen, but in a highly polarized society which seems to be normalizing violence of all kinds, it just takes one lunatic to figure out how to get a shot," said Rob McKenna, former Washington Attorney General. "I think it will cause all elected officials, politicians, their staff to be more careful in choosing their words."
McKenna said it's important for officials to choose their words carefully because there are people out there who take their cues from elected officials and pundits. Social media, he said, amplifies divisive disinformation.
Despite the false information being widely shared, the FBI has not determined the shooter's motive. According to law enforcement, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks was the shooter.
The political blame has already started. People on both sides have accused each other of inflammatory rhetoric that created an environment where the shooting could happen.
"It doesn't matter who created the environment," said Gary Locke, former Washington Governor. "We need to have clear, heated, but calm discussions."All of us need to come together and understand we have differences, policy differences, political differences."
Locke said political violence has no place in the United States.
"We simply do not resort to violence," Locke said. "That is not what America is all about. We need to settle our policy differences at the ballot box, not through violence and assassinations."