During an appearance in Buffalo’s Lovejoy District Thursday afternoon, reporters asked Western New York Congressman Brian Higgins, Democrat, to react to a series of bombs sent to political leaders and actor Robert De Niro. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the Congressman is hoping the nation will come now together.
“Any acceptance of violence should be denounced,” declared Congressman Higgins.
Higgins told reporters the situation is clearly a “consequence of a country divided”. Higgins told reporters those resorting to violence to resolve political differences are creating a "race to the bottom"
“And it will continue unless and until people of good will of both parties stand up and reaffirm all the great principles of this country, and that to be able to disagree in a civil and respectful way is a challenge for all of us – that’s what makes this country as unique as it is,” Higgins Remarked.
WBFO News asked the congressman how his mail is protected and if he fears for his own safety.
“I don’t. There’s protocol that we follow if there are legitimate threats. We report it to Capitol Police. Capitol Police does an interview with local law enforcement agencies. If the threat is viewed to be serious, local law enforcement will engage with the individual or individuals who are involved here. I mean – people make threats to us and give us their names and addresses, so they’re kind of helping out here in a way, but there is a process that we follow,” responded Higgins.
Higgins calls it a consequence of a country divided. The congressional leader said President Trump could demonstrate "better leadership" on this matter.
“I think he missed out an opportunity to be truthful to be more consolatory, to recognize that perhaps the political discourse in American has gotten to a point where – look you’re not condoning this but you’re creating a space that somebody on the fringe regardless of what side they’re on politically, recognizing that as a language that says this kind of behavior is acceptable – that’s a big responsible for people in elected office, particularly the leader of the free world and President of the United States, so I think he missed an opportunity here,” Higgins stated.
