AUSTIN (KXAN) — President Joe Biden won’t be coming to Austin on Monday, his trip postponed according to the White House.
This announcement comes a day after a mass shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday.
Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly said she supports Biden’s change in a statement to KXAN.
It is appropriate for President Biden to postpone his trip to Austin. This is a time for national unity and healing. My prayers are with President Trump and the innocent victims from the shooting.”
Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly
Rise in political violence
Texas State University Political Science Professor William DeSoto said there’s been a recent increase in political violence.
“There’s threats of violence that are very active in our political discourse.”
William DeSoto, Texas State University Political Science Professor
DeSoto said this increase was brought on by how divided the country is at the moment.
“There’s the demonization of the other side,” DeSoto said. “So it’s not necessarily just I disagree with the other side, but that I see that other side is an existential threat to our republic, our liberty, our way of life.”
Data from The Combating Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy showed a rise in threats against public officials. The average number of federal charges was 62 per year between 2017 and 2022. The report said cases from last year and this year are on pace to hit new record highs.
‘Showing President Trump honor’
The latest act of violence prompted a gathering in Georgetown on Sunday, with nearly 100 people showing their support for Trump’s recovery.
“Supporting our state, local officials, our national officials, but mostly just showing President Trump honor,” said attendee Sherry Smith.
One group told us these acts of violence are unacceptable and they are praying for everyone impacted.
“It doesn’t matter which side of the aisle you’re on. You’ve got to remember, this is America. We’ve lost touch with that,” said attendee David Smith.