Pennsylvania governor says US must 'turn the tide' against political violence, reject vengeance

Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania said Tuesday that the nation's leaders must "turn the tide" against political violence and reject vengeance, and accused President Donald Trump of failing the moment's test of leadership.

- by Marc Levy, Associated Press

Shapiro, a Democrat, delivered remarks as the keynote speech at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh, days after the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, and later, while answering reporters' questions.

Shapiro said political leaders must condemn all forms of political violence and reject the "rhetoric of vengeance."

"It is all wrong, and it makes us all less safe. During moments like these, I believe we have a responsibility to be clear and unequivocal in calling out all forms of political violence, making clear it is all wrong," Shapiro said. "That shouldn't be hard to do."

Violence must not be used as a pretext for more violence or to prosecute constitutionally protected speech, he said, saying that political violence not only injures or kills, but affects everyone because it terrorizes, silences, and "tears at the fabric of American society."