CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota implied Tuesday that Republicans are partially responsible for the assault on Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
The CNN panel said that Republicans’ rhetoric has sparked political violence, particularly referencing the January 6 Capitol riot. Camerota then implied that the political right’s rhetoric may have led to the assault on Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at an Astros World Series victory parade Monday.
“When you light that spark, you don’t know who is listening,” Camerota said. “So in other words, the Republicans, it’s demonstrable, have lit that spark more often with their incendiary rhetoric. However, then last night, Ted Cruz was at a Houston Astros victory parade and someone threw a beer can at him … because once you dehumanize people, you don’t know what’s gonna happen.”
Charlie Dent, the executive director of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program, said Republicans need to return to traditional conservatism that embraces “discipline, order [and] stability.” He denounced the “hateful rhetoric” and so-called “conspiracy theories” Republicans have allegedly embraced. (RELATED: Without Evidence, Liberals Rush To Blame Republicans For Assault On Paul Pelosi)
The suspect, 33-year-old Joseph Halm Arcidiacono, threw a 12-ounce White Claw can at Cruz as he stood on the float with his two daughters. The can hit the senator’s chest and neck area, but he did not need medical attention.
The Houston Police Department arrested Arcidiacono and charged him with aggravated assault for the incident. The suspect’s mugshot, recently released by police, shows that he has a nose piercing on the left side of his face.
The assault on Cruz is the most recent incident of recurring political violence. In October, an assailant broke into the home of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacked her husband, Paul, with a hammer. The Speaker’s husband suffered several injuries, including a fractured skull.
A suspect attempted to stab Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin in the neck during a campaign event on bail reform in July. Three months later, two men were shot in front of his residence while his teenage daughters were inside.