While President Biden feebly huddles in the White House, traumatizing voters with talk of the  ‘end of democracy’ if Republicans win in 2024, we see strong presidential bearing from  President Trump who, after today’s assassination attempt, stood with face dripping blood, and  rallied the crowd with a reassuring fist pump after being shot at a campaign rally attended by  thousands in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

The real threat to democracy are those who want to limit free speech, to criminalize religious  practice, to sink our children and grandchildren into unfathomable debt while supporting illegal  immigrants, and to inflict economic policies that are destroying the American Dream. 

We are thankful that President Trump is safe, and we pray for his continuing strength, courage, and leadership. Our prayers are with the family members of the victim viciously killed for the  “crime” of attending a peaceful political rally. We also pray both for those injured and for those  traumatized by this vicious attack. Most of all, we pray for all Americans shocked by the extent  to which anger and violence have divided neighbor from neighbor in this country. 

We call on the White House to issue a public apology for the incendiary rhetoric President Biden used on Monday when he told donors and supporters, “…we’re done talking about the debate, it’s  time to put Trump in a bullseye.” We now see the inevitable result of those so terrified of losing  power that they are whipping supporters into a murderous frenzy. 

We also call on the media to stop feeding the contentious us-against-them culture amongst  Americans. This tragic and inflammatory division in America has been created and perpetuated  not only by the White House but also by mainstream media. We are all Americans. We can  discuss ideas without calling for the elimination of those who hold them. 

The Oregon Republican Party will continue to fight in a peaceful, legal manner for the freedom  of Oregonians and all Americans. We call on opposition leaders to take measurable steps to  encourage their supporters to do the same. As we often say in Republican circles, we have a  country to save.