MTG and Trump allies turn to conspiracy theories to blame assassination attempt on Democrats

Republican lawmakers and right-wing personalities are blaming President Joe Biden for the assassination attempt against his rival Donald Trump, alleging sinister motives from a sitting president and inflaming tensions against urgent calls for calm.

More than two dozen congressional Republicans are blaming the shooting on Biden, Democratic officials and the press.

Far-right congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene baselessly alleged that “Democrats wanted this to happen” and have “wanted Trump gone for years and they’re prepared to do anything to make that happen.”

Greene, a Republican from Georgia, also accused Democratic lawmakers of trying to strip Trump of his Secret Service protection. That proposed legislation would only remove his detail if he is imprisoned for his criminal convictions.

Within hours of Saturday’s shooting, Republican congressman Mike Collins claimed without evidence that Biden “sent the orders” to kill Trump.

He called on the district attorney in Bulter County, Pennsylvania, to “immediately file charges against Joseph R. Biden for inciting an assassination.”

Trump himself has resisted laying the blame, noting that “nothing is known” yet about the shooter or his motive. “In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” he wrote on Saturday.

Biden and administration officials have roundly condemned acts of political violence, even before the attack in Pennsylvania. Yet prominent Trump allies have accused Biden and Democratic officials of calling for violence with their descriptions of the GOP’s agenda.

Their statements follow years of ignored warnings that Trump’s rhetoric and