Chris Murphy accuses Trump of fueling violence as White House sharply pushes back
In the wake of the Brown University shooting, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy tells Dana Bash that President Trump "has been engaged in a pretty deliberate campaign to try to make violence more likely in this country." pic.twitter.com/FSSbCqWrRo
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) December 14, 2025
WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Chris Murphy on Sunday, December 14, accused President Donald Trump of increasing the risk of violence in the United States.
Speaking on CNN’s 'State of the Union', the Connecticut Democrat said that the Trump administration had reversed or curtailed several gun violence prevention efforts enacted in recent years, arguing that those decisions could have consequences for public safety.
Murphy’s comments came a day after a gunman was taken into custody following a shooting at the Ivy League campus in Providence, Rhode Island.
His remarks drew an immediate response from the White House as the administration faced renewed scrutiny following a shooting at Brown University.
Chris Murphy links policy rollbacks to violence concerns
Murphy said that laws and prevention programs play a role in reducing gun violence, pointing to states with stricter gun regulations as examples.
"Laws do make a difference," Murphy said, citing Rhode Island as a state with comparatively lower rates of gun violence.
He argued that recent administration decisions, including the elimination of the White House Office of Gun Violence Protection and changes to funding priorities, have weakened those efforts.
Murphy described the administration’s approach as a deliberate shift away from policies supported under a bipartisan gun reform bill passed in 2022.
White House rejects claims and counters with rhetoric warning
The White House strongly disputed Murphy’s characterization, accusing Democrats of using inflammatory rhetoric that it said has contributed to unrest.
"Before spreading these lies, Chris Murphy should take a look in the mirror," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement.
Jackson accused Democratic lawmakers of language that she said has inflamed tensions, citing rhetoric directed at federal law enforcement and political opponents.
She pointed to assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk as evidence that political violence was not confined to one side of the aisle.
"The Violent Left is a problem whether Chris admits it or not," Jackson said.
Brown University shooting renews gun debate
The exchange followed Saturday’s shooting at Brown University, where at least two people were killed and nine others wounded. Authorities announced early on Sunday that a suspect was in custody.
Murphy, who has been a leading gun control advocate since the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in his home state, said that communities suffered from lasting trauma after mass shootings.
‘A community never, ever recovers from a shooting like this’: 13 years to the day after Sandy Hook, Sen. Chris Murphy reacts to the latest school shooting in the US, this time at Brown University. pic.twitter.com/zSiTKhVTCa
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) December 14, 2025
"A community never, ever recovers from a shooting like this," he said, adding that the cost extends beyond the immediate victims.
Officials have said that the investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not publicly detailed the suspect’s motive.
Other lawmakers urge caution and facts
Republican Sen Bill Cassidy of Louisiana pushed back on Murphy’s remarks during a separate Sunday interview, warning against assigning blame before investigations were complete.
"I do find that if there’s something bad that happens, the checklist is first blame President Trump," Cassidy said. "Let’s find out what the facts are."
Cassidy said lawmakers should avoid politicizing tragedies while authorities worked to determine what occurred.
Gun reform outlook remains uncertain
Murphy said that he intended to continue pursuing bipartisan gun reform legislation but expressed skepticism about prospects under the current administration.
"I will never stop trying to get bipartisan support," he said, while accusing the White House and congressional Republicans of aligning closely with gun industry interests.
Despite the disagreement, Murphy said that he planned to continue discussions with colleagues across party lines, even as he acknowledged the political obstacles ahead.
Other Democratic lawmakers echoed calls for action on gun violence during Sunday appearances, while Republicans emphasized enforcement of existing laws and the need for complete investigations before legislative responses.
