Senate Republicans are quiet after President Donald Trump tweeted out support for a theory that a 75-year-old protester injured by police in Buffalo, New York was actually a “set up” by Antifa.
The Daily Caller reached out to seven top Republican senators for comment on the issue, but none responded. They include Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Arizona Sen. Martha McSally, and Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley. (RELATED: Pence To Preside Over Confirmation Of Gen Charles Brown, Who Would Be First Black Chief Of Any US Military Branch)
Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2020
Two Republican Senators have commented on the issue, including Utah Sen. Mitt Romney and South Dakota Sen. John Thune. Romney condemned Trump’s tweet, while Thune said he hadn’t seen any evidence to back up Trump’s theory.
When asked about the tweet in person, Sen. Murkowski reportedly refused to comment and said “Why would you want to fan the flames,” according to Axios.
Footage of the incident showed the man, Martin Gugino, approach on-duty police officers in Niagara Square during George Floyd protests on Thursday. Two officers, Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski, made contact with Gugino, who fell and hit his head on the pavement. (RELATED: DOJ Has Evidence Antifa, ‘Foreign Actors’ Among Groups Responsible For Violence At Protests, Barr Says)
Just about an hour ago, police officers shove man in Niagara Square to the ground (WARNING: Graphic). Video from: @MikeDesmondWBFO pic.twitter.com/JBKQLvzfET
— WBFO (@WBFO) June 5, 2020
Both officers were suspended and subsequently charged with 2nd degree assault, leading 57 members of their emergency response unit to reportedly resign in protest.