Nearly one year after the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, House Republicans are taking a clear, decisive stand against a growing threat that too many in the media and political class have tried to downplay: politically motivated violence.
On Friday, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced a House resolution condemning all acts of political violence—especially those targeting President Trump—and honoring the brave Americans affected by the July 13, 2024, attack. Their message is simple and powerful: the country must reject the toxic rhetoric that fuels violence and threatens our republic.
“We must stand up together to oppose violence against our nation’s leaders and condemn the hateful, divisive rhetoric that has fueled our nation’s political dialogue in recent years,” Kelly and Pfluger said in a joint statement.
For many Americans, the horrifying events in Butler remain etched in memory. A 20-year-old gunman’s bullet missed President Trump’s head by inches, striking his ear. Volunteer firefighter and Army veteran Corey Comperatore gave his life shielding his family from the gunfire. Rallygoers David Dutch and James Copenhaver were critically wounded.
The GOP resolution honors these Americans, recognizing Comperatore’s heroism and expressing deep gratitude for the law enforcement, emergency personnel, and everyday citizens who acted without hesitation that day.
Far from being an isolated incident, the Butler attack wasn’t the only act of politically charged violence aimed at the former president. The resolution also references a second attempt on Trump’s life in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024—underscoring a deeply troubling pattern that many in the corporate media continue to brush aside or downplay when the targets are conservatives.
It also points to threats and attacks against Democrats like Governor Josh Shapiro (PA) and Minnesota officials Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman—reaffirming that political violence, regardless of party, is a direct attack on the rule of law.
While Democrats and their media allies often claim the mantle of civility, their selective outrage—and, in some cases, outright silence—on acts of violence against conservative leaders sends a chilling message. As conservative lawmakers rightly emphasize, it’s the double standards and inflammatory rhetoric from far-left corners that contribute to a political climate where attempted assassinations become thinkable.
The resolution plainly states that ongoing calls for violence, coupled with divisive language from pundits and politicians, threaten to unravel the democratic fabric of our nation. That message hits home at a time when trust in institutions is fragile and millions of Americans fear they are being targeted not just for what they say—but for what they believe.
This isn’t just about commemorating a tragic moment in our nation’s history—it’s about charting a path forward. The resolution reaffirms the essential mission of the U.S. Secret Service to protect elected officials. It also serves as a reminder of the core conservative values that are under increasing attack: faith in law enforcement, respect for constitutional order, and the unyielding belief that political change should happen through ballots—not bullets.
Dozens of Republican lawmakers have already signed on, including Eli Crane (R-AZ), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Mike Bost (R-IL), and Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA). The resolution is now under review by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Whether the left chooses to join in this moment of unity—or continue down the path of division—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: conservatives won’t remain silent while political violence is normalized and minimized.
This resolution isn’t just a statement—it’s a stand.
