Senator Calls for Condemnation After Pastor’s Comments on Trump Assassination Attempt

Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn has publicly called on Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico to condemn remarks made by his pastor that allegedly made light of the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The incident occurred during a Sunday sermon when Dr. Jim Rigby, Talarico’s minister, commented that he understood “a lot of people have mixed feelings” about the third attempt on Trump’s life—a statement that reportedly drew laughter from the congregation. Rigby quickly pivoted to emphasize that “violence is not going to get rid of the problem we have,” before making controversial claims about the “MAGA movement” being rooted in Confederate ideology and describing it as “fascistic.”

“James Talarico claims to be campaigning on love and kindness, but his Pastor made light of an assassination attempt on the President of the United States in Washington, DC this weekend where a Secret Service officer was seriously injured,” Cornyn posted on X, formerly Twitter. “All Texans should be outraged and Talarico must condemn it.”

The comments referenced the incident that took place at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, which was cut short after an armed gunman, identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, rushed the doors of the Washington Hilton Hotel ballroom. Allen reportedly fired multiple shots before being apprehended by law enforcement. According to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, preliminary evidence suggests Allen “set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the president.”

Talarico, who is positioning himself as a progressive candidate with strong faith credentials, has built his campaign around his background as a Presbyterian seminarian. His platform includes progressive policies on immigration and border security, while simultaneously criticizing Christian nationalism and advocating for separation of church and state. The candidate’s religious positioning has become central to his political identity in Texas, a state where faith plays a significant role in politics.

Republican officials have seized on the pastor’s comments and Talarico’s silence on the matter. National Republican Senate Committee Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell said, “It’s hard to believe James Talarico is serious about condemning political violence while he stands by and helps his pastor radicalize an entire congregation.”

Similarly, Republican National Committee spokesman Zach Kraft called the remarks “disgusting,” adding that “Democrats have fanned the flames of radical left-wing violence for years and gleefully put targets on the back of President Trump, Charlie Kirk and conservatives across America.”

Dr. Rigby has a history of supporting progressive causes. The Washington Examiner previously reported that he spoke at a pro-Palestinian protest in 2009, where he stated, “If there is to be hope for humankind, then we must all realize that the true jihad is the struggle for peace and justice.”

The controversy highlights the increasingly tense political climate in the United States, where rhetoric around political violence has become a flashpoint between the parties. It also underscores the delicate balance religious candidates must strike when their faith communities make politically charged statements.

As of reporting, neither Talarico nor Rigby had responded to requests for comment on the matter. The incident comes at a time of heightened concern about political violence in America, following multiple attempts on Trump’s life and increasing polarization in political discourse.

This latest controversy could potentially impact Talarico’s Senate campaign in Texas, where he is challenging the established Republican incumbent Cornyn in what was already expected to be a contentious race reflecting broader national political divisions.