Chuck Schumer slams Donald Trump for 'sowing seeds of violence' following political assassination claims

WASHINGTON, DC: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has strongly criticized former president Donald Trump for spreading what he calls “dangerous” and “outlandish” claims that his political opponents are plotting to assassinate him.

Schumer warned that such unfounded allegations could incite violence and undermine faith in democracy as it is 'sowing seeds of violence.'

Chuck Schumer says Donald Trump’s claims may lead to political violence

Schumer took to the Senate floor to express his concerns on Wednesday, May 22. He began his speech by attacking Trump.

“What Donald Trump said falsely suggesting his political opponents are out to kill him is beyond the pale and is the stuff that leads to political violence,” Schumer said.

He added that Trump seems to disregard the sanctity, peacefulness, and "functioning of our democracy."

Schumer labeled Trump’s claim as “absurd,” noting that the FBI had consulted with the Secret Service before searching Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for classified records related to one of the former president’s court cases.

"Donald Trump wasn't even in Florida, but instead in New Jersey on the day of the search. So this idea his political opponents are out to kill him is absurd," he said, according to The Hill.

Chuck Schumer warns that Donald Trump is using conspiracy theories

Schumer also warned that Trump’s rhetoric could incite his supporters, much like the events of January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.

“What Donald Trump is doing [is] using conspiracy theories to spin the hard right into a frenzy, and it’s despicable for members of Congress to spread Donald Trump’s lies," Schumer said.

"This is how people get killed, how the seeds of political violence are sowed, and how people lose faith in democracy,” Schumer said, adding, "Donald Trump has no regard for that."

He said, "He would basically rip up parts of our democracy for his, what he thinks, is his own personal gain."  

Chuck Schumer said he won't allow anybody to 'throw matches to light our democracy'

Schumer concluded by urging his colleagues in both parties to condemn Trump’s claims, warning that failure to do so could set the stage for future political violence.

“Every single member of the House and Senate, Democrat and Republican, should condemn Donald Trump’s outlandish and dangerous statement,” he said.

"It should be the easiest thing they do today. If words like Donald Trump's are not fiercely condemned we are only begging for something far worse to our democracy down the line," Schumer said.

"We can not let this man, Donald Trump, or anybody else throw these kinds of matches to light flames that could our democracy," he concluded. 

Donald Trump accused Joe Biden of politically 'taking him out' during the Mar-a-Lago raid 

Trump claimed in a fundraising email on Tuesday, May 21, that FBI agents were “locked & loaded ready to take me out," when they searched his Plam Beach Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago.

The allegations stem from standard search warrant instructions about the use of deadly force that were included in a motion to dismiss the classified documents case filed by Trump’s attorneys and unsealed on Tuesday, May 21.

The statement came after documents on FBI order included a “policy statement” on the use of deadly force that stated “law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force when necessary,” according to the filing, which also noted agents planned to bring “standard issue weapons...ammo...handcuffs” and bolt cutters but were instructed to wear plainclothes and “keep law enforcement equipment concealed.”

He then took to Truth Social lashing at Biden and DOJ as he wrote, “WOW! I just came out of the Biden Witch Hunt Trial in Manhattan, the “Icebox,” and was shown Reports that Crooked Joe Biden’s DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, authorized the FBI to use deadly (lethal) force. Now we know, for sure, that Joe Biden is a serious threat to democracy."