After bomb scares, Langevin, Cicilline criticize Pres. Trump’s rhetoric

October 26, 2018 11:34 am

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — As authorities investigate who sent pipe-bomb-like devices to Democrats including former President Obama, Vice President Biden and Hillary Clinton, other Democrats like Rhode Island’s Congressmen are strongly condemning the attacks.

“These are horrific acts of domestic terrorism,” said Rep. David Cicilline.

“Politics aside, it’s wrong, it’s outrageous,” said Rep. Jim Langevin.

Reps. Langevin and Cicilline were also critical Thursday night of President Trump’s words, at times seeming to encourage political violence.

“What is he thinking?” said Langevin.

“The president’s rhetoric is not helpful. Our president has at rallies encouraged police brutality. He has encouraged people to attack a protestor and said he would pay their legal bills. He was unwilling to condemn the Nazi violence in Charlottesville,” said Cicilline.

Just last week President Trump praised a Montana Congressman who assaulted a reporter last year.

“I heard that he body slammed a reporter,” said Trump. “Any guy that can do a body slam, he’s my kind of guy.”

“It’s given sort of top cover, I think, to some of these individuals who would take it to the next step,” said Langevin. “I think it’s absolutely possible that it’s inciting acts of violence.”

President Trump did condemn Wednesday’s attacks, but Thursday appeared to blame the media, tweeting: “A very big part of the anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the mainstream media.”

Langevin and Cicilline say it’s high time the President change his tune.

“Set an example by toning down the rhetoric and stop encouraging the kind of response to political adversaries that he’s encouraged at so many of his speeches,” said Cicilline.

“Everything’s got to get ratcheted down, and the president especially needs to be more careful with his words,” said Langevin.

Senator Jack Reed echoed his colleagues’ sentiments, saying on CNN that President Trump’s rhetoric “creates the environment where these acts could take place.”