The gunshots — one bloodying the head of Donald Trump — now ringing loudly across the globe. Including inside the mind of Alberta’s premier.
“I think everyone is concerned when you see an attempted assassination,” said Premier Danielle Smith.
U.S. Media reporting the now-deceased shooter — a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man — was both a registered Republican and a one-time donor to a progressive political action committee.
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Still, Alberta’s premier, pointing her finger only at “progressives.”
“The way in which conservative politicians have been characterized, I think, is outrageous. That has led to the culture that we’ve seen in the U.S. and I certainly hope that progressive politicians here are careful of their language.”
Smith then specifically mentioned her opponent — Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi.
“The leader of the opposition in Alberta has described me as dangerous. When you start using that kind of rhetoric that ends up creating an elevated risk for all of us.”
Nenshi’s staff said he was unavailable to respond to Smith’s comments, instead directing CityNews to a Saturday tweet. He called the shooting “horrifying” — while encouraging vigorous disagreement without violence.
In his run for NDP leader and even before officially entering the race, Nenshi repeatedly referred to Smith and her government as “immoral and dangerous.”
Specifically, he’s used the word to denounce the premier’s policies on transgender youth.
“Nenshi was saying this is dangerous for trans youth. And I agree with him on that,” explained Duane Bratt, a political scientist. “Is it political danger? Is it physical danger? It’s one of those words that can be interpreted in different ways.”
Bratt confirms politicians of all stripes have faced vitriol and threats in alberta. He believes Smith’s comments are one-sided and could potentially inflame the situation.
“She’s talking about violent rhetoric only from progressive politicians against conservative politicians. When her, herself, has been quite critical and used inflammatory language,” said Bratt.
In January, Smith told American conservative host Tucker Carlson to place Canada’s Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault in his “crosshairs” — according to a PostMedia article. Smith was asked Monday if the shooting has caused her to reflect on her own rhetoric.
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“I always stay focused on issues,” Smith responded.
Smith later told reporters she only meant that Guilbeault should be fired, and she stands by that.