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“This kind of violence has no place in our society, no place in our politics. It’s no way to settle our differences — no matter how profound or honestly held those differences are."
Watch the full interview here.
Harrisburg, PA – This morning (April 18th) on Good Morning America, Governor Josh Shapiro sat down with George Stephanopoulos to speak about the attempted homicide and arson attack at the Governor’s Residence and the importance of combatting political violence in this country.
See below for key excerpts of this conversation and watch the full interview here.
On Political Violence and the Importance of Combatting it with Moral Clarity
“It's real. I mean, this is, sadly, a real part of our society today, and it needs to be universally condemned, George.
“I don't care if it's coming from the left, from the right. I don't care if it's coming from someone who you voted for, someone who you didn't vote for, someone on your team, or someone on the other team.
“I think every single leader has a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity and condemn this kind of violence.
“Immediately following the assassination attempt on the former president, now president, in Butler, Pennsylvania, I condemn that in the strongest of terms.
“I spoke to the victims. I went to Butler.
“When the assassin who killed the U.S. healthcare CEO was caught in Altoona, Pennsylvania. I immediately went there and condemned that kind of violence in clear terms.
“And I think it's also important when you're not dealing with a traumatic event in Butler, in Altoona, or here in Harrisburg, to be leading every day in a way that like brings people together and doesn't just continually divide us.” [...]
On Restoring the Residence and Representing People of All Faiths
“I recognize when you're in these positions of power, there are people out there that want to do you harm.
“I try not to be captive to the fear, and I try not to worry or think about why people want to do that harm.
“This is a room that has a mezuzah on the wall and a Christmas tree in the corner and a prayer mat for those who are celebrating Ramadan, and we want this place to be back and functioning for people of all faiths and all walks of life as quickly as possible.”
On the Importance of Allowing Law Enforcement and Prosecutors to do Their Jobs
“I’m not sure it's helpful for people on the outside to be weighing in with their opinions here, George, no matter who they are.
“You've asked me a couple times why I haven't sort of given you maybe the kind of answer that you're seeking. I want to explain why.
“I know, as a former prosecutor, how important it is to follow the evidence and apply the law, and to do so without fear or favor.
“In this case, I'm the victim of the crime. I'm not the prosecutor.
“Prosecutors will weigh all the different evidence, determine what the motive is.
“I think, for me to dwell on that, to focus on that, is not my job.”