Staff Reports
In a predictable display of partisan grandstanding, California Governor Gavin Newsom took aim at newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson for suggesting that prayer is an appropriate response to the tragic shooting in Maine, where at least 18 innocent lives were taken.
In a typical fashion, Newsom mocked Johnson’s call for prayer, stating, “The new speaker’s suggestion is we simply pray away the gun violence. That’s it.” One would think that a Democrat like Newsom, who claims to champion tolerance and understanding, would respect an individual’s right to turn to prayer during times of tragedy. But no, it seems that political posturing is more important to him than offering any semblance of support or unity.
Of course, Johnson’s comments were thoughtful and measured. He acknowledged that America is facing dark times and expressed hope and prayer that the evil that perpetrates such violence would be brought to an end. It’s a sentiment shared by countless Americans, regardless of political affiliation. But in the twisted mind of Newsom, anything coming from the mouth of a Republican is fair game for ridicule.
Gavin Newsom takes swipe at Speaker Mike Johnson for mourning Maine mass shootinghttps://t.co/3O08eLTod1 pic.twitter.com/8R9oTSBHcC
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 27, 2023
It’s worth noting that Johnson has a long history of defending gun rights and voting against ineffective gun control measures. And yes, in Newsom’s eyes, that makes him responsible for the tragedy in Maine. In an egregious display of virtue signaling, Newsom took to social media to bash Maine Republican lawmakers for not passing more gun control laws. He mocked their opposition to a bill that would have implemented a 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases, suggesting that they couldn’t “fathom waiting 72 hours to buy a gun.” But let’s be honest, a waiting period wouldn’t have made a difference in this case of senseless violence. It’s just another attempt by Newsom to push his gun control agenda while exploiting a tragedy for his own political gain.
Not content with attacking Maine Republicans, Newsom also called for amending the Constitution to eliminate the Second Amendment. Yes, you read that right. He actually believes that depriving law-abiding citizens of their constitutional right to bear arms is the solution to gun violence. It’s a tired and ineffective argument that has been refuted time and time again. But, Newsom seems more interested in pandering to the extreme left than in actually finding real solutions to the problems facing our nation.
In the end, Newsom’s attempts to demean Johnson and exploit the tragedy in Maine only serve to highlight his own lack of empathy and his insatiable desire for political power. While the rest of America mourns for the victims and seeks ways to bring about real change, Newsom continues to play his partisan games. It’s a sad reflection of the state of our politics today.
