Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, defended her comparison of former President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler during an interview on The Breakfast Club. Her remarks came shortly after conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated in Utah by a leftist gunman, further intensifying the national conversation about escalating political rhetoric and violence.

During the interview, Crockett argued that Trump’s own inflammatory language has contributed to a culture of political violence. She cited past statements by Trump, including joking about shooting someone and encouraging physical aggression at rallies, as evidence of his role in normalizing such behavior. Crockett insisted that while her Hitler comparison was strong, it was not a direct call to violence.

This incident highlights a broader trend among some Democrats who, critics argue, are unwilling to lower the temperature of political discourse. For years, prominent figures on the left have portrayed Trump and Republicans as existential threats to democracy, often using dehumanizing language. This rhetorical style, critics warn, contributes to division and potentially incites violence.

Past comments by figures like President Joe Biden—who once joked about fighting Trump behind a gym—add to this atmosphere. Critics argue that this framing of Republicans as not just political opponents but as threats to humanity can push impressionable individuals toward extremism. They note that this trend has persisted despite actual violent incidents, including attempts on Trump’s life.

The suspected killer of Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson, reportedly held increasingly radical leftist views. A former friend described him as becoming more politically extreme during high school and confirmed that he was isolated in his views within a conservative family. The friend expressed shock at Robinson’s involvement in the assassination.

Trump confirmed Friday that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the attack on Kirk. He told Fox & Friends he had just received confirmation before going on air. Investigations into the motives and background of the suspect are ongoing.