Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the latest progressive who appeared to offer a justification for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after he condemned the violence.
On “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Sanders was asked about Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.,'s controversial comments about Thompson's death.
“Violence is never the answer. This guy who allegedly killed the CEO of UnitedHealth (Care) is on trial, but you can only push people so far, and then they start taking matters into their own hands,” Warren said.
In his response to Warren's comment, Sanders appeared to offer an explanation for the killing after initially condemning the violence.
Sen. Bernie Sanders condemned the violence against UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson but warned that people's anger against the health care industry is “escalating.” (NBC screenshot)
Elizabeth Warren says killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO was a warning: 'You can only push people away'
“Look, obviously Elizabeth Warren understands that murder and murder and shooting someone in the back is absolutely unacceptable, but what I think has happened in the last few months is that what I've seen escalating is people's anger at the health insurance industry, which denies Sanders: “People are getting the health care they desperately need while making billions and billions of dollars in profits.”
“So, to kill somebody, or shoot somebody in the back who's a father of two, is outrageous. And it's unacceptable. No one, no one should applaud it. And I know Senator Warren didn't do that. But I think What should we ask ourselves when talking about health care, is why we are the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care for all people, is why our life expectancy is much lower than in other countries, is The reason is that the working class die five to ten years less From the people on top,” he continued.
Alleged killer Luigi Mangione has been celebrated online by far-left figures as a response to the healthcare industry. (Getty Images)
After receiving significant negative backlash, Warren later retracted her comments.
“Violence is never the solution,” she said. Fox News Digital. “I should have been clearer that there was no justification for killing.”
Luigi Mangione, accused of Thompson's murder, became a A hero to far-left figures Online as a measure of retaliation against health insurance companies that deny coverage.
Former WAPO Reporter Says 'We Want These CEOs Dead' After Health Insurance CEO Killed
Other more mainstream progressive figures condemned the violence but qualified their comments by attacking the health care system. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said likewise The shooting was not justified, but he added that the denied allegations could be considered an “act of violence.”
Liberal media pundits and Democratic politicians like Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have hedged on the killing of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson after he was shot and killed in New York City. (Getty Images)
“This does not mean that acts of violence are justified, but I think for anyone who is confused, shocked or terrified, they need to understand that people interpret, feel and experience dismissed allegations as an act of violence against them.” -Cortez said.
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