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Bomb threats put spotlight on vitriolic political rhetoric
By STEVE PEOPLES and KEN THOMAS, Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — The discovery of pipe bombs targeting prominent Demo- cratic politicians and CNN is raising the threat of election-season violence large- ly unknown in the U.S. — and prompt- ing uncomfortable questions about the consequences of leaders’ increasingly vitriolic rhetoric.
Coming two weeks before midterm elections, the thwarted attacks Wednes- day caused renewed soul-searching — and finger pointing — about whether President Donald Trump has fanned
passions to dangerous levels. Democrats swiftly pointed to his remarks seeming to condone violence against reporters and belittling political opponents, in- cluding some apparently targeted by the devices. Trump decried all political vio- lence and issued a broad call for unity.
Some voters expressed concern the country was spiraling into new territo- ry.
“It almost seems like we’re in the middle of a civil war without the shots being fired,” said Bobby Dietzel, a 45-year-old information technology worker from Kansas City who is regis-
tered with neither party. From a Denver coffee shop, he said he watched the political conflict with alarm. “It’s almost scary to talk politics with people.”
Law enforcement officials did not comment on the possible motives behind the crimes or whether political ideology may have played a role. Those involved have all been targeted by Trump and the right.
The thwarted attacks — revealed in rapid succession Wednesday — added volatility to midterm elections poised to be a referendum on Trump’s tumultuous two years in office.
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