‘Crickets’: Mark Kelly Calls Out Republicans’ Muted Reaction To Trump’s Attacks

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) strongly criticized his Republican counterparts on Sunday for largely remaining silent as President Donald Trump continuously attacked a group of Democratic lawmakers. Kelly expressed his disappointment with the lack of response from Republicans in Congress regarding Trump’s dangerous rhetoric, particularly when he endorsed a post suggesting the hanging of members of Congress.

During an interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Kelly highlighted the alarming silence from Republican lawmakers in the face of Trump’s incendiary remarks. Trump’s recent online posts have targeted six Democrats, including one that endorsed the idea of hanging them, invoking George Washington’s name.

In response to a video produced by a group of Democratic veterans and former intelligence officers, Trump accused the Democrats of “sedition” and labeled them as “traitors” who should be in jail. Democratic lawmakers, including Kelly and Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), featured in the video, have faced an increase in threats since Trump shared his inflammatory posts.

Slotkin’s office disclosed that she has received around-the-clock security following Trump’s posts, including a bomb threat targeting her home. Despite the escalating threats against Democratic lawmakers, the White House press secretary attempted to downplay Trump’s statements, shifting the focus to critique the Democrats’ video.

While Democratic lawmakers have condemned Trump’s remarks, Republican reactions have been notably subdued. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) dismissed Trump’s language as mere “heated rhetoric,” and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) refrained from calling on Trump to apologize for his divisive comments.

Only a few Republicans, such as Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), have offered more direct critiques of Trump’s rhetoric. Kelly criticized the lack of response from Republicans in condemning rhetoric that could incite political violence, contrasting it with their swift condemnation of similar rhetoric in the past.

The silence from Republican lawmakers in the face of Trump’s dangerous rhetoric raises concerns about the polarization and potential violence in the current political climate. Kelly’s call for accountability and condemnation of such inflammatory language underscores the urgent need for bipartisan unity in denouncing hate speech and safeguarding the democratic process.