Mikie Sherrill, a rising Democratic contender for New Jersey governor in 2025, has caused waves by blaming Republicans and Donald Trump for two assassination attempts, including a recent incident in Florida.
She emphasized the need for more resources to address the situation and criticized the broader issues at play within the Republican Party.
According to Sherrill, “This really seems to be the confluence of two very bad things going on in the Republican Party. On one side, the attempts to divide, to enrage the population, to put out false rumors and misinformation.”
She also mentioned how misinformation has led to a local mayor locking down parts of a town due to fear over immigrants. Additionally, Sherrill called attention to the alarming ease of access to assault rifles in the U.S., saying it further exacerbates the situation.
She blamed ‘underlying issues’ against Republicans, but failed to report repeated calls by the left to ‘eliminate’ President Trump for being a ‘threat to democracy’.
The political tension surrounding her comments is only heightened by her likely Republican opponent, Bill Spadea, who did not hold back in his criticism.
Spadea tweeted, “It’s clear @RepSherrill is taking her anti-police stance to the next level. Victim shaming and becoming an outright apologist for a would-be assassin. Very sad.” He suggested Sherrill was defending the shooter and stoking further division.
These accusations underscore a larger political debate, especially as Sherrill positions herself for the 2025 gubernatorial race, with Republicans like Spadea offering sharp counterpoints.
The shooter in the failed Florida plot has been described as a radical, militarized left-wing terrorist with a long criminal record.