Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back on ABC host George Stephanopoulos on Sunday after being criticized by Eric Trump for accusing Democrats of multiple assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump.

Since July 13, President Trump has faced two assassination attempts that resulted in one of the shooters being killed at the scene and the other being arrested. On ABC’s “This Week,” Mr. Stephanopoulos told Mr. Johnson that the host had blamed Democrats for his near-assassination after Mr. Johnson called on both sides to tone down Eric Eric. – Pressed to comment on Trump’s remarks. rhetoric. “

“I just saw the clip. I was at an event in Texas last night, so I didn’t see everything Penn State said…I don’t get the context,” Johnson said. “The clip you just heard, the clip you played there, George. I don’t think they’re saying that Democrats attempted an assassination attempt. What they’re implying is what we’re all saying and I think it’s the same.”

“They have to reject the rhetoric. For years now, Democratic leaders in this country, elected officials, and the current presidential candidates have been saying that Donald Trump is a threat to democracy. “He has said publicly that if he is re-elected, the republic will fall,” Johnson said. “It’s complete nonsense and they’ve incited dangerous people to do dangerous things. I think there’s an objective fact to this rhetoric that we can all agree on. We need to turn the volume down. We must have a lively debate about policy, but we must not bring it to that level. No one involved in this is a threat to the Republic.”

Mr. Stephanopoulos continued to ask whether Mr. Johnson supported Eric Trump’s comments, but the House speaker repeatedly said he did not “know the context” of the video. When Johnson defended Eric Trump’s character, the ABC host yelled, “I just saw it, sir!” See the clip shown earlier. (Related: CNN host asks how President Trump can tone down his ‘rhetoric’ a day after second assassination attempt)

“I saw your clip, George. I didn’t see the full speech. We all need to see these things in full context. But what they’re referring to is the 2016 I’m talking about the absolute public attacks that the Democrats have waged on President Trump since the day he came down that golden escalator in 2017…They’ve attacked President Trump in every possible way…people. I’m tired of this,” Johnson said.

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“Everyone from all walks of life needs to reject the rhetoric and let’s talk about the records of these candidates, not the rhetoric. Let’s talk about the policies, not the personalities. That’s what the American people rightly demand. These are serious issues facing this country,” Johnson added. “We need to talk about ideas and answers and solutions, not about anything else.”

Stephanopoulos continued to press Johnson on Eric Trump’s comments, asking for “further context” the House speaker needed. But Mr Johnson stood firm and tried to shift the focus to voters’ biggest concerns about the economy and immigration.

“So it’s clear that we’re not going to condemn the basic suggestion that Democrats were behind the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. I’d like to ask a different question,” Stephanopoulos said.

Mr Johnson intervened again and tried to defend his position, but Mr Stephanopoulos said he would stop asking questions.

“Well, you have the opportunity to denounce if you want, and you have that opportunity, but we can move on,” Stephanopoulos concluded.

Trump returned to Butler, Pennsylvania, for his first rally since the assassination attempt in which a bullet grazed his ear. The 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired several shots at President Trump and his supporters in July, killing former volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore. a memorial spot A second Comperatore rally was held in the stands over the weekend.

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