GOP rep: Shooting a result of ‘political, rhetorical terrorism’

Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) blamed the current political discourse for the Wednesday-morning shooting at a baseball practice field that injured House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and several others.

Scalise was one of several people shot at a baseball practice in Alexandria, Va. He underwent surgery, and GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill said that he’s out and “doing well.”

“This is a result, I believe, of political, rhetorical terrorism. That’s got to stop,” said Davis in a Wednesday-morning interview with Fox News.

{mosads}”This political rhetoric and political discourse that has led to hate, has led to gunfire, this has got to stop and it’s got to stop today.”

Davis attended the baseball practice Wednesday morning but wasn’t injured. He didn’t cast the blame on any party in particular but urged Republicans and Democrats to unite amid the shooting.

“I’m not going to assess who takes responsibility, but we’re all responsible for the discourse that happens in American government,” Davis said. “We’ve got to ratchet down the rhetoric that we’ve seen.

“We have to bind together as Americans. Not as Republicans and Democrats.”

Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) took a harder line when condemning political rhetoric, blaming Democrats for the current tone and “anger” toward President Trump and his supporters. 

“I can only hope that the Democrats do tone down the rhetoric,” Collins told WBEN. “The rhetoric has been outrageous … the finger-pointing, just the tone and the angst and the anger directed at Donald Trump, his supporters.” 

Judy Kurtz contributed.