Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is facing a storm of criticism after calling for supporters to “extinguish” former President Donald Trump in a recent interview with MSNBC.

Her statement has ignited backlash, especially in light of two recent assassination attempts on Trump’s life. The timing and tone of her comments have drawn fire from Trump supporters, who argue that such rhetoric only fuels further violence.

Former President Donald Trump poses at a campaign rally July 27 at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota. In his speech, Trump called on his supporters to flip the state red.

Raimondo, a close ally of Vice President Kamala Harris and former governor of Rhode Island, appeared on MSNBC to denounce what she labeled as Trump’s lies regarding the Biden-Harris administration.

Patriotic beachwear for freedom lovers! Shop now and get 10% off with code RB10. Vet & LEO-founded.

MORE NEWS: This Is More Proof That They Always Put America Last

Close

In a heated moment, she declared, “Let’s extinguish him for good,” as she praised Harris as a “remarkably talented candidate” with the potential to lead. Critics quickly seized on her choice of words, noting the alarming implications of “extinguish” given the recent assassination attempts against Trump, as reported by Trending Politics News.

Has Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris swayed your vote?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

This comes just days after federal authorities arrested 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, who attempted to assassinate Trump at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15. Routh had been stalking Trump for months before attempting to carry out the attack.

Image Credit: © Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

His rhetoric about “democracy being on the ballot” mirrored language used by high-profile Democrats, including Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz.

The West Palm Beach incident followed an earlier assassination attempt on July 13, when a teenager shot Trump in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Secret Service failures allowed the shooter to get within range, resulting in the death of a Trump supporter, Corey Camperatore, and severe injuries to two others.

MORE NEWS: Jaguar Wright Drops Explosive Claims About Jay-Z on Piers Morgan Show [WATCH]

These violent events haven’t curbed the contentious political discourse, with Raimondo’s remarks adding fuel to an already charged environment. Online, critics didn’t hold back.

On X, one user described her comments as “a declaration of war,” while another wrote, “No one uses that word [‘extinguish’] in political discourse unless they mean something violent.”

Trump himself responded, linking the recent assassination attempts to the incendiary language used by prominent Democrats. “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at,” Trump said, accusing the Biden-Harris administration of stoking violence against him.

This isn’t the first time a Democrat has faced scrutiny for harsh rhetoric toward Trump. Last year, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) made headlines when she suggested that Trump “should be shot” during a live television appearance, though she quickly corrected herself.

Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY) also had to apologize after saying Trump needed to be “eliminated” because of the threat he posed to democracy.

MORE NEWS: Megyn Kelly Nails JD Vance’s Debate Performance in a Few Words [WATCH]

Even Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) has encouraged people to become “more confrontational” if Trump were to win a second term.

As the 2024 election looms, this type of incendiary rhetoric is becoming a point of contention, with Trump supporters calling for accountability. Trump, undeterred by the attempts on his life, continues his bid for the presidency, vowing to “save the country” from those who “want to destroy it, both from the inside and out.”