Republicans accuse Biden of inciting Trump shooting

A group of Republican lawmakers are blaming US President Joe Biden, claiming his campaign rhetoric led to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

As of Sunday, nearly a dozen lawmakers have pointed fingers at Biden and Democrats at-large for the shooting Saturday evening at the former President’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Many are pointing to a comment from Biden while on a private phone call with donors last week.

According to Politico, Biden said on the call: “I have one job, and that’s to beat Donald Trump. I’m absolutely certain I’m the best person to be able to do that. So, we’re done talking about the debate. It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.”

On Saturday, Biden condemned the attack and called on Americans to denounce such violence. On Sunday, he ordered a review of security at the rally.

In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, the specific reference to “Trump in a bullseye” less than a week before has led some Republicans to place the burden of the shooting in part on Biden.

“Joe Biden sent the orders,” Georgia Republican Rep. Mike Collins posted on X, formerly Twitter, in a response to a post about Biden’s comments to donors.

In another post, Collins wrote “they attempted to neutralize the threat”, responding to a separate graphic featuring the president’s comments.

“Notice that after an attempted assassination of President Trump, the same people who wanted him prosecuted for telling his supporters to peacefully march to the Capitol on January 6 are not calling for President Biden’s prosecution after he said it was time to put President Trump in the bullseye after their debate,” Collins wrote.

FBI officials identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, a kitchen worker from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who is a registered Republican.

A secret service sniper shot dead Crooks after he fired at the President.