'We stoke those fires': GOP congressman urges Republicans to address political violence

One Republican member of Congress is imploring his party to examine its role in the escalation of political violence in the United States.

According to Wall Street Journal congressional reporter Olivia Beavers, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) made the remarks at a Republican Study Committee (RSC) event on Monday, which fell on the one-year anniversary of the attempt on President Donald Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania. Kelly said he felt compelled to address the escalation of political violence after attending a celebration of life event for Corey Comperatore – a volunteer firefighter who was killed during the Butler rally.

"Forever etched in Corey’s wife and children’s memories is that moment, that single moment when those shots rang out," Kelly said. "So if you're asking yourself, why did these things happen? Is it because, maybe intentionally or unintentionally, we stoke those fires?"

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"This is not a Republican issue to a Democrat issue," he added. "This is an issue actually just about human being to human being. Do we respect life? Do we respect other people?"

Kelly's remarks are particularly noteworthy, given the prevalence of right-wing political violence in recent history. During Trump's first term, in which he repeatedly assailed the media as "the true enemy of the people," Trump supporter Cesar Sayoc mailed pipe bombs to multiple prominent journalists at major networks. Sayoc's attorney called his client a "super fan" of Trump and that he viewed him as a "surrogate father."

In 2020, Trump tweeted "LIBERATE MICHIGAN" in response to Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Covid-19 lockdown protocols. Two weeks later, armed right-wing protesters entered the Michigan State Capitol building. Two of those men were later implicated in a plot to kidnap and kill Whitmer.

After leaving office, Trump continued cheering on political violence, joking about the home invasion and assault on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) husband, Paul, in 2023. That same year, Trump called on former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley to be executed for the "treasonous act" of calling his Chinese counterpart to assure them that Trump wouldn't try to stay in office after losing his reelection bid. And he launched his 2024 campaign by announcing to his supporters: "I am your retribution." He made that announcement in Waco, Texas, which is where the FBI carried out a deadly raid in the 1990s against the Branch Davidian cult.

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