Republican Governor John Kasich of Ohio said Donald Trump created a toxic environment that ignited violence. The Governor is also running for president.
In his speech during a campaign event in Cincinnati on Saturday, Kasich said, “That toxic environment has allowed his [referring to Trump] supporters and those who seek confrontation come together in violence. There is no place for this.” Kasich emphasized, “There is no place for a national leader to prey on fears of our people who live in our great country.”
He added that it was important to recognize the frustrations of the people and the challenges confronting them such as job insecurity and lack of rising wages among others. However, he pointed out these should “not be used to drive people down and divide people.”
Kasich also pointed out that “name calling” and “lowering the bar of American politics is not acceptable” and he believes during that during the last debate his fellow Republican presidential candidates learned that ideas, visions, policies and giving hope to people matters.”
Violence at Trump rallies
Gov. Kasich made the statement in response to the continuing violence that was happening at Trump’s political rallies. On Friday, the Trump postponed his campaign rally at the University of Illinois in Chicago due to concerns that the environment was not safe for the billionaire because his supporters and protesters were fighting.
Hundreds of demonstrators filled, at least, five sections in the arena. According to the police, five individuals were arrested, and two officers were hurt in Chicago.
On Saturday, Secret Service agents swarmed the stage and surrounded Trump to ensure his safety from a man who tried to climb the stage during a campaign rally at Dayton, Ohio. According to the billionaire’s campaign spokeswoman, the man “attempted to breach the secure buffer and was removed rapidly and professionally.”
Trump said the protests at his campaign rallies were led by “professional people” particularly those supporting Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, the senator from Vermont.
He said, “All of a sudden a planned attack just came out of nowhere.” He added that his supporters “were taunted, they were harassed by these other people, these other people, by the way, some represented Bernie, our communist friend.” He added that Sen. Sanders should stand up and tell his people to stop.
Over the past weeks, violence had been happening at Trump’s rallies. Before the clashes in Chicago; a man was charged with assaulting a protester during the billionaire’s campaign rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Wednesday night.
Reporter accuses Trump’s campaign manager of assault
Michelle Fields, a reporter for Breitbart accused Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski of grabbing her arm aggressively, which caused a bruise when she tried to question Trump during his press conference on Tuesday night. There is an ongoing investigation into the incident, according to the Jupiter Police Department.
According to Fields, when Trump was wandering around and stopping to take a question from every reporter, she asked him about his view on an aspect of affirmative action.
“Trump acknowledged the question, but before he could answer, I was jolted backwards. Someone had grabbed me tightly by the arm and yanked me down. I almost fell to the ground but was able to maintain my balance. Nonetheless, I was shaken,” wrote Fields.
Ben Terris of Washington Post told Fields that it was Trump’s campaign manager who tried to pull her to the ground.
