A prominent Democratic senator has directly accused former President Donald Trump of fueling a “dizzying campaign” of violence across America, drawing a stark connection between his rhetoric and recent shootings, including a tragic incident at Brown University. Senator Chris Murphy, a leading voice for gun safety reforms, stated on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Trump’s actions and pronouncements since returning to the political forefront have demonstrably increased the likelihood of violence.

Murphy, who represents Connecticut and has been a vocal advocate for stricter gun laws, particularly in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in his state, argued that Trump has deliberately sought to make violence more prevalent. “He has been engaged in a pretty deliberate campaign to try to make violence more likely in this country, and I think you’re unfortunately going to see the results of that on the streets of America,” Murphy asserted.

The senator’s remarks came just hours after authorities apprehended a person of interest in connection with a mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island that left two people dead and nine others wounded. Murphy specifically cited Trump’s policies, including restoring gun rights to felons, eliminating the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and halting funding for mental health and community anti-gun violence grants, as contributing factors.

In response, a White House spokesperson for Trump, Abigail Jackson, vehemently denied the accusations, issuing a strong statement that urged Murphy to “take a look in the mirror.” Jackson accused Murphy and his Democratic colleagues of using “rhetoric meant to incite their followers to violence,” citing instances such as labeling ICE officers as Nazis and political opponents as fascists. The statement also pointed to an alleged increase in assaults against ICE officers and referenced the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

While mass casualty incidents involving firearms have seen a reduction this year compared to spikes in 2018 and 2019, the United States has still experienced several high-profile shootings. Everytown, a gun violence prevention group, reported at least 154 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in significant casualties. The recent tragedy at Brown University adds to a series of disturbing events that have reignited debates surrounding gun culture and the Second Amendment.

Murphy’s long-standing advocacy for gun reform dates back to the Sandy Hook shooting, where he championed bipartisan legislation that ultimately failed to overcome procedural hurdles in the Senate. He has consistently voiced frustration over legislative inaction, which he attributes in part to the influence of the firearm industry lobby, arguing that it has allowed a critical public safety issue to escalate unchecked.

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Keywords: Chris Murphy, Donald Trump, Brown University shooting, gun violence, gun reform, US politics, political rhetoric, mass shootings