Rob Cox, Global Editor for Thomson Reuters’ Breakingviews, blamed President Trump for the deadly shooting at Maryland's Capital Gazette newspaper Thursday. Five people died in the carnage, and others are suffering from serious injuries.
"This is what happens when @realDonaldTrump calls journalists the enemy of the people," Cox wrote on Twitter. "Blood is on your hands, Mr. President. Save your thoughts and prayers for your empty soul."
He deleted the tweet and was forced to backpedal.
Fair enough to call me out for jumping to a conclusion about the motives here. Vilifying any category of people - journalists, migrants, conservatives, liberals etc - can incite violence. This one hits close to home. Genuinely saddened. https://t.co/pyr3HTFzbQ
— Rob Cox (@rob1cox) June 28, 2018
He also admitted that his initial response was "emotional and inappropriate."
CNN's Brian Stelter made a similar connection. The Maryland newsroom, he noted, was targeted during a period in which physical attacks against journalists have risen in recent years - particularly at campaign events.
Political campaigns appeared to have nothing to do with this case, however. The suspect had a deep seeded grudge against the newspaper for years. Reports reveal he had been harassing the paper since 2011.
Cox also did not mention that Democrats have also been guilty of using firebrand rhetoric. Over the weekend, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) basically told supporters to confront Republicans in the street.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, an extraordinarily low IQ person, has become, together with Nancy Pelosi, the Face of the Democrat Party. She has just called for harm to supporters, of which there are many, of the Make America Great Again movement. Be careful what you wish for Max!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 25, 2018
Waters, however, denied that she was calling for harm against anyone.
"I believe in peaceful, very peaceful protests," she said in defense of her remarks.