Columbia News

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) appeared on Fox News’ Faulkner Focus to address the ongoing government shutdown and concerns over politically motivated violence. Schmitt criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic lawmakers for what he described as repeated refusals to reopen the government, noting the impact on millions of Americans.

“Well, the solution is pretty simple. The fact is that Chuck Schumer and the Democrats have a choice. They’ve repeatedly — over a dozen times now — voted against reopening the government. I think even the legacy media is even having a hard time coming to their aid and explaining why they would do it. You’ve got SNAP benefits [for] 42 million Americans — including and especially kids — who are going to be affected starting this weekend, military members that may or may not get paid. President Trump’s trying to put [them] at the top of the list of priorities to make sure they get paid, but you got ICE agents, and other people who are just not being paid because the Democrats don’t have another play in their playbook, Harris. They just know how to fight Trump. It’s this resistance movement. They’re more interested in grandstanding than governing. So, we’re on week five [of the government shutdown] and the Democrats will continue to be on the spot. But there is no other place to go except to reopen the government, give us time to work on appropriations bills, and get on with the people’s work,” Schmitt said.

Schmitt also discussed recent hearings about political violence in the United States, emphasizing his view that left-wing groups are responsible for much of it.

“I think the hearing yesterday [on politically motivated violence] was really important. If we’re ever going to get on the other side of this and get rid of political violence in this country, we have to say ‘free speech yes, political violence no’ in all circumstances. But we have to be clear about who’s largely responsible for [political violence] right now — it’s coming from the left. Whether it’s the two attempts on the President’s life, [the assassination of] Charlie Kirk, the most dramatic example that you pointed out — this is coming from the left side. And it’s chilling when you look at even the polling — 25 percent of those who describe themselves as ‘very liberal’ believe that political assassinations and violence are justified. Over half of the people — 55 percent on the left side of the ledger — believe that killing President Trump is ‘at least somewhat justified’. There’s a problem, and I think we have to start going after these organizations. Antifa is not some idea, it’s an organization. I applaud the President for declaring [Antifa] a Domestic Terror Organization. But they are also a Foreign Terrorist Organization. They have safe houses around the world, including in this country. They launder money to support this violence. This isn’t free speech. This is firebombing buildings, attacking ICE officers. And it’s time, I think, for us to get really serious about this and take it head on.”

He further claimed that Antifa operates internationally: “[Antifa] has organizations in Europe. Money flows here to the United States [sic], they share information. You look at what’s happened in Portland, for example. They come out, they throw firecrackers, they encourage police officers to come out, they firebomb the buildings, they assault the officers, shoot them. And then, they go to a carefully crafted network of safe houses to hide. This isn’t just people showing up at a protest. This is a coordinated attempt that’s international in scope, meant to disrupt and foment anarchy. That’s what they’re all about. So if we’re serious about taking this on, I think we’ve got to get after the money and organizations that are responsible for it."

Schmitt called for bipartisan condemnation of political violence while stressing his belief that current incidents stem mainly from left-wing actors.

“...universally condemned political violence — we should do that," he said "We should support free speech." He added: "But let’s be clear; this isn’t a both sides [issue] right now… It’s crazy; it’s got to stop.”