Cherry pick

Pennsylvania governor accuses Trump administration of wanting to "cherry pick" cases of political violence

From CNN's Andy Rose

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who narrowly escaped injury after the governor’s mansion was attacked in the middle of the night earlier this year, says condemnation of violence against political opponents must be consistent.

“Political violence doesn’t only affect those who are directly targeted or their loved ones. It affects all of us. It tears at the fabric of American society and the fundamental principles that this nation was founded upon,” said Shapiro.

“Unfortunately some, from the dark corners of the internet all the way to the Oval Office, want to cherry pick which instances of political violence they want to condemn. Listen, doing that only further divides us and makes it harder to heal. There are some who will hear that selective condemnation and take it as a permission slip to commit more violence so long as it suits their narrative or only targets the other side.”

Shapiro’s home was attacked on April 13 by a man who investigators say threw a Molotov cocktail into the State Dining Room. Cody Balmer of Harrisburg told 911 operators that he targeted Shapiro based on his perceived support of Israel, according to search warrents. Balmer intended to assault Shapiro with a hammer he was carrying, according to the arrest warrant.

Shapiro spoke Tuesday at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh and was introduced by former Gov. Tom Corbett.

“I am a lifelong Republican, and our keynote speaker is a lifelong Democrat,” noted Corbett. “Efforts to end hate-fueled violence is one upon which we both strongly agree.”