'He is part of problem': Bernie Sanders slammed for condemning 'radical rhetoric' after Trump shooting

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) condemned political violence and the "radical rhetoric" following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, during his appearance on the Sunday, July 14 episode of 'Meet the Press'.

Shots were fired at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday while the presumptive GOP nominee was addressing the crowd. A bullet grazed his left ear before he was swarmed by Secret Service agents and evacuated from the stage.

While Trump remained relatively unharmed, an attendee lost his life getting caught in the line of fire, while two more were critically injured. The shooter, who was later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed at the scene by federal agents.

Bernie Sanders speaks up against political violence

"I think everybody in this country, no matter what their political views, wishes former President Trump a rapid and speedy recovery, mourns the loss of innocent lives and those who are wounded, and understands that political violence of any kind or shape or form is unacceptable. It is un-American," the veteran progressive politician told NBC host Kristen Welker on Sunday.

"And we've got to put an end to it. I think in this traumatic moment, it's time for all of us to take a deep breath, remember what this is about and what political campaigns are about. And they're about serious discussions of serious ideas as to how we address the serious problems facing this country. So let's use this moment if there's any silver lining in this tragedy. It's to figure out how do we go forward peacefully, constructively, and intelligently?"

"The bottom line is what we need as a nation, what a democracy is about is not radical rhetoric," he continued. "What it is about is a serious discussion of where we are as a nation and how we go forward, forward. You know, and in a certain way, Kristen, politics should be kind of boring."

"You know, our health care system is dysfunctional. How do we fix it? Well, it's kind of a boring discussion, but we need a healthcare system that guarantees healthcare to all people. We have massive income and wealth inequality. Well, maybe a boring discussion," explained the senator. "Should three people own more wealth than the bottom half of American society? So I think what we have got to see is serious discussion of serious issues, and not this kind of harsh rhetoric that we have heard for the last number of years."

Sanders also took up the opportunity to reiterate his support for incumbent Joe Biden as the best candidate to head the Democratic ticket, even as voices continue to grow for the latter to step out of the race.

"President Biden is the strongest candidate the Democrats have. I think he has a very, very effective record that he can run on. We are finally lowering the cost of prescription drugs. We are rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. Finally, we're beginning to deal with the existential threat of climate change. We're trying to do our best to protect a woman's right to control her own body. A strong record," he noted.

Internet calls out Bernie Sanders for his views 

MAGA supporters over the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) slammed Sanders over his comments, and held him responsible for the spread of 'violent rhetoric'. The following tweets demonstrate the prevalent opinion online.

"He's contributed to it as much as any of them," wrote a user.

"We all have heard Sander's radical Rhetoric so he should sit this one out," stated another.

"Bernie Sanders is part of the problem," expressed a third.

"Seriously... he is the last person to be lecturing anyone on this issue," jibed a fourth.

"Sanders and his friends called Trump 'Hitler' and 'a threat to Democracy' many times over. It’s THEIR rhetoric that caused this," commented a fifth.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.