Bernie Sanders joins ranks of progressives denouncing violence while offering explanation for executive shooting
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is the latest progressive to appear to justify the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after denouncing the violence.
On Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” Sanders was asked about controversial comments made by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., about Thompson’s death.
‘Violence is never the answer. Man suspected of killing UnitedHealth CEO goes to trial[care]but you can only push people so far before they start taking matters into their own hands,” Warren said.
In response to Warren’s comments, Sanders also appeared to offer an explanation for the killing after initially condemning the violence.
Senator Bernie Sanders condemned violence against UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson but warned that anger against the health care industry is “rising.” (Screenshot from NBC)
Elizabeth Warren says UnitedHealthcare CEO killing is a warning: ‘You can only push people so far’
“Listen, Elizabeth Warren obviously understands that killing and murder and shooting people in the back is totally unacceptable, but I think what’s happened over the past few months is what you’ve seen is people’s anger against the health insurance industry, The industry is denying people the health care they desperately need while making billions in profits,” Sanders said.
“So to kill anybody, to shoot a father of two in the back, that’s outrageous. It’s unacceptable. No one, no one should be applauding. I know Senator Warren didn’t do that. . whose life span is five to ten years shorter than the people above,” he continued.
The far left has praised alleged murderer Luigi Mangione online as a boycott of the health care industry. (Getty Images)
Warren later walked back her remarks after facing backlash.
“Violence is never the answer. Period,” she told Fox News Digital. “I should know better, murder is never justified.”
Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing Thompson, became a hero of the far left online as retaliation for health insurance companies denying coverage.
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Other more mainstream progressives have condemned the violence but limited their rhetoric to attacks on the health care system. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez similarly said the shooting was unjustified, but added that denying the accusation could be considered an “act of violence.”
After UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City, liberal media pundits and Democratic politicians like Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized his murder. Hedging. (Getty Images)
“This is not to say that violence is justified, but I think for anyone who is confused or shocked or appalled, they need to understand that people interpret and feel and experience denied claims as violence against them.
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