Trump calls on Americans — including media — to cut down on political tension at rally

At a major campaign rally in Wisconsin on Wednesday evening, President Trump decried any threats of political violence as “an attack on our democracy itself,” saying “we want all sides to come together in peace and harmony” — and he also took aim at the media, charging that they are contributing to the problem.

His comments came just hours after apparent explosive devices were sent to a series of top Democratic politicians, including former President Barack Obama, former Attorney General Eric Holder and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

“My highest duty as president is to keep America safe,” Trump told his audience at the Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee. “The federal government is conducting an impressive investigation, and we will find those responsible, and we will bring them to justice, hopefully very quickly.”

He continued: “Those engaged in the political arena must stop treating political opponents as being morally defective. The language of moral condemnation … these are arguments and disagreements that have to stop. No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historical villians. It’s got to stop. We should not mob people in public spaces or destroy public property.

“There is one way to settle our disagreements: It’s called peacefully, at the ballot box,” Trump said to applause. (“If you’re going to vote Democrat, don’t bother,” he later joked.)

“The media also has a responsibility to set a civil tone and stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks,” he added.

And, within hours, leading Democrats apparently rejected Trump’s olive branch … “President Trump’s words ring hollow until he reverses his statements that condone acts of violence,” Schumer and Pelosi said.

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