NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee lawmakers quickly reacted to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, with some immediately resorting to partisan talking points.
Democratic Rep. Antonio Parkinson of Memphis initially suggested the shooting might have been "staged," while House Republican Leader William Lamberth of Portland blamed "an idiot liberal with a gun."
That was before anything was known about the shooter.
House Republican Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison of Cosby said responsibility lies with "the party of 'tolerance, equity and inclusion," while Democratic Sen. London Lamar of Memphis argued "the extremism of the MAGA regime has brought us to this moment."
Lamar later deleted that post.
Republicans have argued that Democrats have inflamed the rhetoric by arguing that Trump is a threat to democracy. But Trump has labeled President Joe Biden as "Crooked Joe" and claimed that "we're not going to have a country" if Biden is re-elected.
More typical was the reaction from House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville. He tweeted, "As we wait for more news on @realDonaldTrump, join me in praying for him, his family and all the attendees at today’s rally in Pennsylvania."
Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson, a Knoxville representative now running for the U.S. Senate, tweeted: "We condemn political violence of any kind, under any circumstances. We thank the Secret Service for their quick action and we hope and pray Former President Trump and others are not injured."
