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NEW LINCOLN PROJECT STATEMENT: GOP CANDIDATES AND LEADERSHIP MUST DENOUNCE POLITICAL VIOLENCE IMMEDIATELY

October 29, 2022 — The Lincoln Project releases the following statement in response to the attack on Speaker Pelosi’s family and the ratcheting-up of violent rhetoric around the election:

From January 6th, to the violence attributed to the FBI search on Mar-A-Lago, to yesterday morning’s attack on Speaker Pelosi’s family, MAGA extremists are increasingly looking to use violence as a political tool. The specter of violence is actively being encouraged by MAGA candidates and GOP leaders who embrace the language of violence as a means to gain support with an extremist base.

This is a reckless trend leading to a dangerous moment for American Democracy. We call on the following to say clearly, and without reservation, that they denounce violence of any kind and that their supporters should not commit violent acts in their name.

• Donald Trump
• Kevin McCarthy
• Tom Emmer
• Elise Stefanik
• Ron DeSantis
• Doug Mastriano
• Mehmet Oz
• J.D. Vance
• Ron Johnson
• Mike Lee
• Blake Masters
• Kari Lake
• Mark Finchem
• Adam Laxalt
• Steve Scalise

There are many examples of GOP ratcheting-up violent rhetoric, such as Kevin McCarthy threatening to hit Nancy Pelosi with the gavel during a ceremonial change in power; candidates for office making violent threats while using weapons in campaign commercials; or FOX News giving space to discuss stolen elections as a way to increase the base’s anger so they will be willing to take matters into their own hands.

Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, and the rest of Fox News have a special responsibility given their leadership role in the MAGA movement and their outsized influence as the State Television Channel for the GOP. They must denounce the violence within the MAGA movement and change their coverage to challenge this rhetoric.

It is time for every American to stand up against political violence and respect the rule of law. It begins with those individuals who wish to lead the nation.

The Lincoln Project is a leading pro-democracy organization in the United States — dedicated to the preservation, protection, and defense of democracy.

To learn more about The Lincoln Project, go to lincolnproject.us.

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