On Wednesday, officers arrested a man armed with a knife and a pistol who traveled to Maryland in order to kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh. After walking towards Kavanaugh’s home with a backpack and suitcase, two U.S. marshalls arrested the man, who told them that he had plans to kill Kavanaugh and then end his own life. When this news broke, conversation surfaced online as people compared the quick action of the U.S. marshalls versus the police who stood outside while an active shooter was inside a school in Uvalde, Texas. Republicans, however, placed the blame on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who they say called for this violence two years ago.
Breaking: A man was arrested outside of Brett Kavanaugh's residence around 1:45am last night. The man had a gun and said he was there to kill Kavanaugh. He was taken into custody without incident.
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) June 8, 2022
Online, some drew comparisons between the response to Kavanaugh’s attempted murder and the gun control laws many conservatives find unconstitutional. “Funny how an armed man is only dangerous when they’re going after conservatives like Brett Kavanaugh. Otherwise, it’s something “we have to accept,” just like shootings every day,” one person said. Mitch McConnell, a Republican Senate Minority Leader, demanded the House pass a bill to increase the security of Supreme Court justices. But, as this happened the same day victims of school shootings called for gun reform, some wondered if this sent a message to the victims or the victims’ families. “Imagine if Republicans cared as much about protecting kids as they care about protecting Brett Kavanaugh.”
You know what would make America GREAT?
If Mitch McConnell would value every citizen’s life the way he values Brett Kavanaugh’s.
— Mei ???????????? (@Maybelline_CDN) June 8, 2022
Others online, however, pointed to Chuck Schumer as the cause of the attempted murder. In 2020, Schumer spoke at an abortion rights rally, saying “I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh: you have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.” Republicans like Roger Marshall and David Shafer brought up this quote, with Shafer saying “I wonder what Chuck Schumer meant when he said that Brett Kavanaugh would “pay the price” and “not know what hit him” if he continued making “awful decisions” as a Supreme Court justice. Please, my liberal friends on Twitter, put his words in an understandable context for me.”
Chuck Schumer called for this violence. The armed lunatic who showed up at Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home was simply following orders. Justice cannot be served under the threat of mob violence. https://t.co/cZ3OE4QbFh pic.twitter.com/FDLbzdXdBW
— Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) June 8, 2022
Although Schumer apologized the following day, acknowledging that he “should not have used the words I used yesterday.” He clarified that he meant there would be political consequences, but many Republicans felt as if his words were responsible, as senator Ted Cruz called it a “cause and effect.”
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