Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has openly criticized President Donald Trump and others who, he believes, only speak out against political violence when it aligns with their ideology. He cautioned that this kind of selective outrage could lead to continued cycles of aggression.
During a speech on Tuesday, September 16, shortly after the tragic shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Shapiro shared his own experience as a target of violence.
He referred to Pennsylvania’s reaction back in April, following an alleged arson attack on the Governor’s Mansion. That moment represents a potential path forward for a nation facing severe partisan divisions, he explained during the fifth annual Eradicate Hate Global Summit hosted in Pittsburgh, where participants regard it as a major anti-hate conference globally.
All former governors of Pennsylvania, irrespective of party affiliation, rallied together after the break-in that resulted in significant property damage and required Shapiro’s family to evacuate from their home due to the fire.
However, the first-term Democratic governor stressed that this type of bipartisan response to violence is notably missing on a broader national stage.
Shapiro remarked, Sadly, there are some people—from the dark recesses of the web to the Oval Office—who choose which instances of political violence to condemn, having himself been in the running as a potential vice-presidential candidate for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
In his statements, Trump held the radical left accountable for the incendiary remarks in connection with Kirk’s killing in Utah. The former president asserted that this group is directly responsible for the terrorism we’re witnessing in our nation. Furthermore, he committed to targeting those he believes contribute to such violence.
Later, Trump emphasized that the turmoil isn’t stemming from the right and labeled certain individuals on the left as scum for igniting unrest.
Shapiro reacted to Kirk’s death by ordering flags in Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff, criticizing Trump for using divisive language. He argued that the rhetoric of rage serves only to expand the divisions among us.
His concerns at the summit included the alarming incidence of online calls for retribution or celebration of political violence. But, Shapiro noted, that censoring speech won’t resolve the nation’s issues.
Recently, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced intentions to “target” individuals involved in hate speech. There have also been discussions about pursuing left-leaning organizations and media outlets among others associated with Trump.
Yet, Shapiro insisted that true leadership should focus on fostering spaces for respectful dialogue among citizens.
He concluded by stating, “Criminalizing speech protected by the Constitution will only undermine our freedoms and deepen distrust between us.”
Bethany Rodgers is an investigative journalist for the USA TODAY Network in Pennsylvania.
This article was originally published by Erie Times-News: Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro criticizes Trump for ‘selective’ outrage over political violence
