Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered a keynote address on political violence in America at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh on Sept. 16, 2025.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro condemned President Donald Trump and others who he said decry political violence based on the ideology that motivated it, warning that such “selective” outrage could fuel ongoing cycles of aggression.

Speaking on Tuesday, Sept. 16, days after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Democratic governor drew from his own experience as the victim of a targeted attack.

Pennsylvania’s response in April following an alleged arson at the Governor's Mansion offers a path forward for a nation torn by partisan divisions, Shapiro said during an address at the fifth annual Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh. Organizers of the event call it the most comprehensive anti-hate conference in the world.

All of Pennsylvania’s living governors, both Democrat and Republican, reached out in the aftermath of the break-in, which left extensive fire damage and forced Shapiro’s family out of their beds to flee the burning building. These former officials united for a fundraiser to help pay for repairs to the stately Harrisburg mansion where they'd each lived in turn while serving as the commonwealth's top executive.

But Shapiro, a 52-year old first-term governor, said this bipartisan stand against violence has been lacking on a national level.

“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,” said Shapiro, who was on the shortlist last fall to be the running mate for 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

Trump has blamed the “radical left” for incendiary rhetoric that preceded Kirk's death in Utah and called this faction “directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today.” Trump vowed to go after the individuals and groups that he says foment this type of violence.

The two-term Republican president later said these problems are not coming from the political right and that leftist “scum” is agitating unrest in the nation.

Shapiro, who ordered Pennsylvania flags to half-staff after Kirk’s death, wrote a social media post criticizing the president for using this language, saying the “rhetoric of rage” only deepens divides.

In his speech at the summit, Shapiro warned that failing to acknowledge and denounce all political violence, regardless of the alleged perpetrator's or victim's allegiances, can send a dangerous message.

“There are some who hear that selective condemnation and take it as permission to commit more violence, so long as it suits their narrative or only targets the other side,” he said.

Shapiro also expressed dismay about calls online for revenge or glee about political violence. However, censoring speech isn't going to heal the wounds of the nation, either, he said.

In recent days, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has vowed to "target" people who engage in hate speech. Other members of the Trump administration have said they want to "go after" left-leaning groups and media organizations.

But Shapiro said leaders should focus instead on creating venues for civil dialogue between Americans.

"Prosecuting constitutionally protected speech will only erode our freedoms," he said, "and deepen mistrust."

Bethany Rodgers is a USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania investigative journalist.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro slams Trump for 'selective' outrage against political violence

Reporting by Bethany Rodgers, USA TODAY NETWORK / Erie Times-News

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