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Republican says Obama 'deepened' divisions that sparked shooting Republican says Obama 'deepened' divisions that sparked shooting
(about 1 hour later)
Republican congressman Steve King has blamed President Barack Obama for fuelling political divisions that led to an attack on Republican lawmakers.Republican congressman Steve King has blamed President Barack Obama for fuelling political divisions that led to an attack on Republican lawmakers.
Mr Obama "focused on our differences rather than our things that unify us", the Iowa Republican said.Mr Obama "focused on our differences rather than our things that unify us", the Iowa Republican said.
A gunman ambushed Republican lawmakers during baseball practice at a Virginia field, injuring four people.A gunman ambushed Republican lawmakers during baseball practice at a Virginia field, injuring four people.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise remains in a critical condition following Wednesday morning's attack.House Majority Whip Steve Scalise remains in a critical condition following Wednesday morning's attack.
He had a third operation on Thursday morning at a Washington DC hospital, where he has been visited by President Donald Trump.He had a third operation on Thursday morning at a Washington DC hospital, where he has been visited by President Donald Trump.
Two other victims, a lobbyist and police officer, remained in hospital while a second police official and congressional staffer were treated and released. Four received gunshot wounds and two have other injuries.
The suspected gunman, James T Hodgkinson, succumbed to his injuries from the firefight with police and died.The suspected gunman, James T Hodgkinson, succumbed to his injuries from the firefight with police and died.
Police said on Thursday the 9mm handgun and 7.62 rifle believed to have been used by the suspect were purchased legally.
It has emerged he was a former volunteer for Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 Democratic presidential campaign and posted incendiary anti-conservative rhetoric on social media.It has emerged he was a former volunteer for Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 Democratic presidential campaign and posted incendiary anti-conservative rhetoric on social media.
Mr Sanders immediately denounced the attack and investigators have said it is too early to determine a motive.Mr Sanders immediately denounced the attack and investigators have said it is too early to determine a motive.
Mr King told radio station WHO in his political heartland of Iowa: "I do want to put some of this at the feet of Barack Obama.Mr King told radio station WHO in his political heartland of Iowa: "I do want to put some of this at the feet of Barack Obama.
"He contributed mightily to dividing us. He focused on our differences rather than our things that unify us. And this is some of the fruits of that labour.""He contributed mightily to dividing us. He focused on our differences rather than our things that unify us. And this is some of the fruits of that labour."
The Republican has previously raised eyebrows for his controversial statements.The Republican has previously raised eyebrows for his controversial statements.
He once promoted the "birther" conspiracy claiming that Mr Obama was not born in the US and suggested some undocumented immigrants have large calf muscles because of drugs he said they were smuggling across the border.He once promoted the "birther" conspiracy claiming that Mr Obama was not born in the US and suggested some undocumented immigrants have large calf muscles because of drugs he said they were smuggling across the border.
Fox News host Sean Hannity also laid the blame on Democrats for the Virginia shooting, arguing the left had "de-humanised" Republicans and painted them as "monsters".Fox News host Sean Hannity also laid the blame on Democrats for the Virginia shooting, arguing the left had "de-humanised" Republicans and painted them as "monsters".
"When Democrats continue to dehumanise Republicans and paint them as monsters day in and day out, year in and year out, well the climate around the country, it becomes more than toxic, and the tragic results, of course, follow," he told his viewers on Wednesday night."When Democrats continue to dehumanise Republicans and paint them as monsters day in and day out, year in and year out, well the climate around the country, it becomes more than toxic, and the tragic results, of course, follow," he told his viewers on Wednesday night.
He also claimed that "virtually no one on the left has denounced this vile behaviour".He also claimed that "virtually no one on the left has denounced this vile behaviour".
However, leaders of both parties were quick to condemn the attack, which elicited a rare spirit of unity on Capitol Hill.However, leaders of both parties were quick to condemn the attack, which elicited a rare spirit of unity on Capitol Hill.
Republicans and Democrats have used the attack to point out the toxic rhetoric that has led to deep political divisions across the US.Republicans and Democrats have used the attack to point out the toxic rhetoric that has led to deep political divisions across the US.
In the wake of the attack, Republican congressman Thomas Massie introduced a bill on Thursday that would allow those with gun permits in their home states to carry weapons in Washington, DC.
Mr Massie said the measure is aimed at helping lawmakers, who are exposed in the nation's capital, to protect themselves and "avoid a tragic situation".
Steve King's controversial remarksSteve King's controversial remarks
On 'subgroups'On 'subgroups'
"This whole 'old white people' business does get a little tired, Charlie. I'd ask you to go back through history and figure out where are these contributions that have been made by these other categories of people that you are talking about? Where did any other subgroup of people contribute more to civilisation?" - on MSNBC, July 2016"This whole 'old white people' business does get a little tired, Charlie. I'd ask you to go back through history and figure out where are these contributions that have been made by these other categories of people that you are talking about? Where did any other subgroup of people contribute more to civilisation?" - on MSNBC, July 2016
On undocumented immigrantsOn undocumented immigrants
"For everyone who's a valedictorian, there's another 100 out there that, they weigh 130lb and they've got calves the size of cantaloupes because they're hauling 75lb of marijuana across the desert." - 2013"For everyone who's a valedictorian, there's another 100 out there that, they weigh 130lb and they've got calves the size of cantaloupes because they're hauling 75lb of marijuana across the desert." - 2013
On black menOn black men
"You know that statistically the greatest danger to a black man in America is another black man." - to Buzzfeed in July 2016"You know that statistically the greatest danger to a black man in America is another black man." - to Buzzfeed in July 2016
On lawnmowersOn lawnmowers
"I had a strong, Christian lawyer tell me yesterday that, under this decision (gay marriage legalisation) that he has read, what it brings about is it only requires one human being in this relationship - that you could marry your lawnmower with this decision. I think he's right." - to Dickinson County News in July 2015"I had a strong, Christian lawyer tell me yesterday that, under this decision (gay marriage legalisation) that he has read, what it brings about is it only requires one human being in this relationship - that you could marry your lawnmower with this decision. I think he's right." - to Dickinson County News in July 2015