NY Dem Rep Says He Doesn’t Think Calling Conservatives ‘Fascist,’ ‘Nazi’ Or ‘Hitler’ is a Problem [WATCH]

Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan of New York said Friday that he does not believe the use of terms such as “fascist,” “Nazi,” or “Hitler” to describe Republicans contributes to the broader political tensions between parties.

His remarks came during an appearance on CNN’s The Arena, as the nation continued to react to the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

Concerns over political violence intensified after Kirk was fatally shot Wednesday while addressing students at Utah Valley University in Orem.

CNN anchor Kasie Hunt asked Ryan whether the language often used by Democrats against Republicans, comparing them to Nazis or fascists, was part of the problem fueling political hostility.

“I actually don’t think it does,” Ryan responded.

“I think people are trying to grapple with a really unprecedented time in our country where we’re seeing maybe history not fully repeat, but history rhyme at some of the darkest times in our world’s history and struggling in good faith to try to put some intellectual thought into that and find the right language to describe the fact that the constitution I risked my life for 27 months in combat is being tested and pushed.”

Ryan continued: “And, in many cases, I think not being honored by this president, that’s hard to figure out how to, how to put word to that in a way that is constructive. So those are words that are more academic. I think it is the call for violence to me. That is where the calls for violence linked to that, that are, that are the problem, the idea that we’ve heard from many leaders in both parties, unfortunately, that there’s some deeper evil if you feel a certain way.”

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Kirk, 31, was about 20 minutes into his event on the Orem campus when he was struck by a fatal shot.

He was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.

The shooting has been described by Utah Governor Spencer Cox as a political assassination.

In the immediate aftermath, reactions were divided.

Some Democrats suggested Kirk’s political beliefs made him a target or placed blame on Republicans, citing rhetoric from President Donald Trump and other conservative leaders as contributing factors.

The assassination came during an already tense political climate.

The 2024 election cycle saw heightened language from corporate media and Democratic campaigns, including Kamala Harris referring to Trump as a “fascist” and Joe Biden saying Trump should be imprisoned.

The country has also faced a series of politically charged acts of violence.

On July 13, 2024, an assassination attempt on Trump occurred at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired multiple rounds, grazing Trump’s ear and killing volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore before being stopped.

On September 15, a second attempt was prevented when Secret Service agents arrested Ryan Routh at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Routh was discovered in the bushes armed with an AK-47-style rifle.

Other violent incidents have also drawn attention in recent months.

In June, Minnesota state Sen. Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot in their home.

In Pennsylvania, Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence was targeted in an arson attack by a self-identified socialist with ties to the Black Lives Matter movement.

The investigation into Kirk’s assassination is ongoing.

The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested Thursday after a manhunt.

Federal and state officials continue to examine Robinson’s motive and potential political influences.

Funeral arrangements for Kirk have not yet been announced.