Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro chastised President Donald Trump and others for condemning political violence based on the ideology that drove it, warning that such “selective” outrage could fuel ongoing cycles of aggression.
The Democratic governor spoke on Tuesday, Sept. 16, days after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, drawing on his own experience as the victim of a targeted attack.
Shapiro said during an address at the fifth annual Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh that Pennsylvania’s response in April to an alleged arson at the Governor’s Mansion provides a path forward for a country torn apart by partisan divisions. Organizers describe the event as the world’s most comprehensive anti-hate conference.
All of Pennsylvania’s living governors, both Democratic and Republican, reached out in the aftermath of the break-in, which caused extensive fire damage and forced Shapiro’s family out of their beds to flee the burning building. These former officials came together for a fundraiser to help pay for repairs to the stately Harrisburg mansion where they had each lived in turn while serving as the state’s top executive.
However, Shapiro, a 52-year-old first-term governor, believes a bipartisan stand against violence is lacking on a national level.
“Unfortunately, some — from the dark corners of the internet all the way to the Oval Office − want to cherry-pick which instances of political violence they want to condemn,” said Shapiro, who was on the shortlist to be the running mate for 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Trump has blamed the “radical left” for the incendiary rhetoric that led to Kirk’s death in Utah, calling this faction “directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today.” Trump promised to go after the individuals and groups he claims are inciting this type of violence.
The two-term Republican president later stated that these issues do not stem from the political right and that leftist “scum” is inciting unrest across the country.
Shapiro, who ordered Pennsylvania flags to half-staff following Kirk’s death, wrote a social media post criticizing the president for using such language, claiming that the “rhetoric of rage” only deepens divisions.
Shapiro warned during his speech at the summit that failing to acknowledge and condemn all political violence, regardless of the alleged perpetrator’s or victim’s allegiances, can send a dangerous message.
“There are some who hear that selective condemnation and take it as permission to commit more violence, so long as it suits their narrative or only targets the other side,” he told me.
Shapiro also expressed concern about online calls for vengeance or glee over political violence. However, he also stated that censoring speech will not heal the nation’s wounds.
In recent days, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has vowed to “target” those who use hate speech. Other members of the Trump administration have stated that they intend to “go after” left-leaning groups and media outlets.
However, Shapiro believes that leaders should instead focus on fostering civil dialogue among Americans.
“Prosecuting constitutionally protected speech will only erode our freedoms,” he declared, “and deepen mistrust.”
