Friday 23 September 2022 01:20 PM Republican says Biden's 'violent rhetoric' has 'consequences' after North ... trends now
Shannon Brandt, 41, from North Dakota allegedly admitted to fatally striking 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson following 'a political argument'. Republicans have condemned Biden's rhetoric in the aftermath
Republican Senator Rand Paul has said President Joe Biden's 'rhetoric' against his opponents can have 'violent consequences' after a driver mowed down and killed a teen because he allegedly believed he was a 'Republican extremist'.
Cayler Ellingson, 18, was struck and killed following a street dance in McHenry, North Dakota, early on Sunday.
Shannon Brandt, 41, has been charged with vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death.
Brandt later told State Radio that he punched the teen during an earlier argument about politics and believed Ellingson was part of a 'Republican extremist group', according to the arrest affidavit.
Jail records from Stutsman County show Brandt posted $50,000 bond on Tuesday and was released. Republicans have suggested rhetoric from Biden and the Democrats could be to blame for the violence.
It follows the backlash from Biden's speech in Philadelphia earlier this month where he targeted Donald Trump and his supporters, and called them a threat to democracy.
'Words can have violent consequences,' Paul told Fox News in s statement. 'President Biden needs to realize that his vilification of his opponents is inflaming some of his supporters to violence. As a victim of political violence, both sides need to recognize the consequences of heated rhetoric.'
Paul and his wife were targeted by a mob of protesters after the Republican National Convention in 2020.
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, who was shot during a practice for 2017 Congressional Baseball Game, also told Fox that Biden should condemn this 'tragic' example of 'leftist violence'.
'People from all parties should condemn political violence when it happens, and I would encourage President Biden and other Democrat leaders to equally condemn this heinous act.'
18-year-old Cayler Ellingson was struck by a car following 'a political argument' on Sunday. Brandt told cops he believed the teen was part of a 'Republican extremist group'
'Words can have violent consequences,' Rand Paul said.' President Biden needs to realize that his vilification of his opponents is inflaming some of his supporters to violence. As a victim of political violence, both sides need to recognize the consequences of heated rhetoric.'
The White House told Fox in a statement that 'the President has made clear, this is a nation that rejects violence as a political tool and we do not
