Some prominent Republicans lay blame on Democrats after Trump rally shooting

Amid overwhelming and bipartisan condemnation of the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday that injured the former president and killed a spectator, some Republicans were quick to point fingers at Democrats and liberals over the attack.

Trump, for his part, noted on social media a few hours after the assassination attempt: “Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.” And on Sunday morning, he did not lay blame, writing on his Truth Social platform: “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.”

Still, in the immediate aftermath, numerous Trump allies theorized a sinister motive inspired by the rhetoric of Trump’s critics — including President Joe Biden, who firmly condemned the shooting in remarks Saturday night.

“The Republican District Attorney in Butler County, PA, should immediately file charges against Joseph R. Biden for inciting an assassination,” Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., wrote on X.

The reactions are emblematic of the deep polarization that has struck American politics. The assassination attempt unified top congressional leaders, who forcefully rebuked it and called for unity, including Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. But there remain figures who stoke us-versus-them divisions and lean on unverified information or conspiracy theories, using social media to inflame the message.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who is running to be the next Senate Republican leader, wrote that “Democrats and liberals in the media have called Trump a fascist. They’ve compared him to Hitler.”

“This