DENVER (KDVR) — A now-deleted tweet by a Colorado state representative garnered attention after he compared former President Donald Trump to the devil following the attempted assassination at his rally.
On Saturday, Trump was the target of an assassination attempt as he spoke during a rally in Pennsylvania. One spectator was killed by the alleged gunman, and two other attendees were critically injured, the U.S. Secret Service said.
Many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle posted on X to share their thoughts on the political violence. However, one politician from Colorado is being condemned for his words.
On Saturday night, Rep. Steven Woodrow, who represents Colorado’s 2nd District, tweeted, “The last thing America needed was sympathy for the devil but here we are.”
The tweet garnered at least one million views before Woodrow ultimately deleted his X account.
FOX31 reached out to Woodrow and received this statement.
“I condemn this attempt on President Trump’s life in the most forceful of terms. My message, as inarticulate as it was, is that acts of violence like this are awful and only make it more likely that Trump now wins. We must always resolve our differences peacefully at the ballot box—not through violence. I know people are hurting, and apologize that my words caused additional pain,” Woodrow.
Shad Murib, the chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, also tweeted a response to Woodrow’s comments.
Spoke with Rep Woodrow – this is a regrettable tweet and @coloradodems condemn it.
We also condemn Lauren Boebert recklessly and dangerously blaming President Biden for today’s attack.
Folks – we must commit ourselves to helping to calm our politics, not further dividing us.”
Shad Murib on X
Murib also called out Rep. Lauren Boebert’s response to the deadly attack. FOX31 spoke directly to Boebert who called out President Joe Biden.
“I hope that this is a check on those who call for political violence. Unfortunately, we saw the sitting president of the United States call for Trump to be put in a bullseye last week. This rhetoric is real, people are listening and they are unfortunately acting out on those words called out by those who are in leadership,” said Boebert.
Biden made a statement to donors on July 8, saying “it’s time to put Trump in the bullseye.” Biden’s remarks were part of a broader approach to turn scrutiny on Trump, with no explicit call to violence, according to the Associated Press.
Several other Colorado lawmakers released statements over the weekend.
