Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Sunday avoided blaming New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) for the shooting of two police officers in Brooklyn.
On CBS’ “Face the Nation” host Bob Schieffer asked Graham about a tweet from former New York Gov. George Pataki (R) placing blame on de Blasio and Attorney General Eric Holder.
Sickened by these barbaric acts, which sadly are a predictable outcome of divisive anti-cop rhetoric of #ericholder & #mayordeblasio. #NYPD
— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) December 21, 2014
“I blame the shooter and nobody else,” Graham responded.
When Schieffer asked Graham if he thought the shooting was linked to cases like the death of Eric Garner, the senator criticized the “tone” used by some leaders.
“I think the mayor of New York has probably undercut his cops, and the attorney general is trying to walk a fine line. What happened in Missouri, I understand why the cop had to defend himself. When you see the video in New York – did that man really have to die? But the tone they’re setting around the rhetoric regarding the cops incites crazy people, but I blame the shooter,” Graham said.
