Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is not apologizing for his statement condemning the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump.
Poilievre doubled down on his response amidst some politicians and pundits being outraged with him saying that he’s happy the shooter is dead.
Trump was addressing supporters in Butler, Penn. Saturday evening when a shooter opened fire on the former president. One spectator and the shooter were killed, while two other spectators were injured.
Trump was grazed by one of the bullets but survived the incident.
“I condemn in the strongest of terms the attempted murder of former President Trump today. I am relieved he is safe. My prayers are with other innocent people harmed or killed by this heinous act,” said Poilievre in a statement Saturday.
“I am also happy that the suspected shooter is dead,” he added. “Democracy must prevail.”
Prominent progressives quickly hammered Poilievre, claiming his statement was unworthy of somebody running to become prime minister.
Socialist Ontario NDP MPP Joel Harden wrote on X “I also condemn the assassination attempt of former President Trump. I wish violence on no one. But Pierre Poilievre (saying) ‘I’m glad the shooter is dead’ is not leadership. This is not how a prime minister talks.”
Harden added that “leaders don’t celebrate death. We work for community safety.
Former Alberta Progressive Conservative MLA Thomas Lukaszuk said “that is an irrational, although populist, statement to make. Revenge over due process.”
He added that “if the criminal was apprehended alive, we could have learned so much more, which could serve the future safety of all.”
Left-wing commentator David Moscrop said being happy that the shooter is dead is “an insane thing to say” and referred to Poilievre’s statement as “a wacko tweet.”
Columnist and former Liberal advisor Warren Kinsella said “if you think he’s only a suspect, you shouldn’t be saying you’re happy he’s dead.” Kinsella added that this “goes double for when you’re running to be prime minister. It’s a bad look.”
Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Coyne also criticized Poilievre over his statement.
“In all the reactions from political leaders the world over, I can find no other expressing such lip-smacking satisfaction at the violent death of another human being,” he wrote.
“While others appeal for calm, Poilievre rejoices in retribution. It’s human enough, in such moments, to think it. But to say it — and not in some unguarded private moment, but as the public reaction, with the potential for further violence hanging in the air, of a would-be prime minister… This is not normal,” Coyne added.
Poilievre doubled down on his statement in a Monday morning interview with Global News AM 640’s Alex Pierson.
“Obviously, we’re very pleased that the shooter was killed and that the former president was not,” Poilievre said.
When asked about the criticisms of that statement, Poilievre said, “well what would they say? Did they think he should be alive? I don’t know what they’re offended about.”
“Maybe they just think that you shouldn’t be saying stuff like that,” said Pierson, to which Poilievre asked “why?”
“He killed another human being. I don’t care what you think about President Trump, former President Trump. The reality is he’s a human being and so was the other innocent victim who died here heroically protecting his loved ones.” Poilievre said.
“So I don’t know what people would expect me to say.”
Pierson responded by saying “I am not sure anything you say will ever be acceptable, but that’s the line that we live in, right?” to which Poilievre responded “That’s life and frankly, I don’t care.”