Ricketts on the Senate Floor: All of Us Should Affirm that Political Violence is Anti-American

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, during a tribute to Charlie Kirk on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) called on every American to condemn political violence. He also offered a prayer for Charlie Kirk and our country.

"No matter our political beliefs, all of us should be able to affirm a simple truth: that violence against political figures is unacceptable. It's actually anti-American. Period. It's an attack on our very values. It's an attack on our republic," said Senator Ricketts. "Our level of sympathy should not depend on the political views of the person who violence has been perpetrated against. Our level of outrage should not depend on the political views of the victim or the perpetrator. In our great country, we settle our disagreements with ballots, not bullets."

Ricketts noted the "tragic reality" that not every American is willing to condemn political violence.

"A recent YouGov poll found that only 72% of Americans said that political violence is always wrong," said Senator Ricketts. "10% said that political violence can sometimes be justified. 10% of people think that it's justifiable to commit political violence. That number shocks the conscience. Let that sink in. The people that believe that are siding with the bad guys. We must reverse this trend. We must make sure political violence isn't normal."

Ricketts highlighted ways each American can help heal divisions and restore America's civic virtue.

"We need to focus on what we know to be good and true. Let's spend more time in prayer," said Senator Ricketts. "Let's spend more time outdoors rather than on our phones or our devices. Let's spend more time getting to know our neighbors and investing in our communities. Let's re-learn civil discourse. Civil discourse sharpens our arguments and makes us better. It's better for our communities. It's what makes us human and what makes us American. The civil discourse in our great republic is what makes us great. There's no time to waste - and we all have a role."

Watch the video here

TRANSCRIPT:

Senator Ricketts: "Thirteen years ago, an inspired and patriotic 18-year-old by the name of Charlie Kirk launched a political organization. He wanted to identify, train, and organize students to engage in American politics. His dynamism, his tenacity, and his convictions helped inspire a generation of Americans. Charlie Kirk was participating in the very American act of political dialogue when he was assassinated.

"He was a husband, son, and father. He had two little children. He was murdered in broad daylight. It's horrifying. It's very disheartening, not only for me, but I know for many young people. And tragically, it's all too common.

"Charlie Kirk isn't the only political figure to be impacted by violence in recent years. He's been added to a list of people like Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Congressman Steve Scalise. Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. And, of course, President Donald Trump.

"No matter our political beliefs, all of us should be able to affirm a simple truth: that violence against political figures is unacceptable. It's actually anti-American. Period. It's an attack on our very values. It's an attack on our republic.

"Our level of sympathy should not depend on the political views of the person who violence has been perpetrated against. Our level of outrage should not depend on the political views of the victim or the perpetrator. In our great country, we settle our disagreements with ballots, not bullets. The way to combat speech we don't like is with more speech, not less speech. This makes us better, sharper, and more American. That's what Charlie Kirk was doing when he was assassinated.

"It might seem unnecessary to say these things in the wake of an assassination. But the tragic reality is that not every American believes what I just said. Not everybody believes these statements are true.

"A recent YouGov poll found that only 72% of Americans said that political violence is always wrong. 10% said that political violence can sometimes be justified. 10% of people think that it's justifiable to commit political violence. That number shocks the conscience. Let that sink in. The people that believe that are siding with the bad guys.

"We must reverse this trend. We must make sure that political violence isn't normal - that it's not acceptable. And each of us has a role to play in that. Each of us can be a part of restoring American civic virtue.

"We need to focus on what we know to be good and true. Let's spend more time in prayer. Let's spend more time outdoors rather than on our phones or our devices. Let's spend more time getting to know our neighbors and investing in our communities. Let's re-learn civil discourse.

"Civil discourse sharpens our arguments and makes us better. It's better for our communities. It's what makes us human and what makes us American. The civil discourse in our great republic is what makes us great.

"There's no time to waste - and we all have a role.

"God bless Charlie Kirk. God bless Erika Kirk and their children. May Charlie rest in peace.

"Now, Mister President, I'd like to say a prayer, not just for Charlie, but for our entire country.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointeth my head with oil. My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I shall rest in the house of the Lord, forever.

"Thank you, Mister President."