By Michael Bielawski
Vermont’s social media was abuzz with impassioned reactions to the failed assassination attempt of former President Trump. The responses have been almost exclusively from the state’s minority of conservative voices, with reactions from the large majority of left-wing voices mostly absent.
Vermont GOP chair Paul Dame said this event is only going to strengthen the resolve of the Republican party for the November election.
“Most Republicans I know are just looking for fair & equal treatment in the press. I believe if that happens Republicans will win big this November up and down the ballot,” he wrote.
Brady Toensing, a DC-based lawyer and former Vermont GOP Vice-Chair, reposted another comment indicating that there is a strong urge for accountability. He reposted an impassioned comment by @laralogan stating, “Everyone who betrayed Trump & is now making some bullshit statement can also fuck right off. We are not deceived. Accountability is coming assholes.”
Christopher-Aaron Felker who is chairman of the Burlington GOP is doubling down on his support for the former president.
“All In. It’s time for us to Make America Great Again,” he wrote.
Vermont Citizen Media did many posts regarding the assassination attempt. Including this person wrote, “Democrats are the party of #PoliticalViolence”. He also reposted a statement by U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt, which failed to call the event an assassination attempt.
VtMediaHaven wrote about the same post from Balint, pointing out, “Why did it take 15 hours to issue this statement?”
Vermont Native wrote more about the contradictions illustrated by this attack. This person wrote, “Bernie Sanders says Trump is the most dangerous man, must keep him from the presidency 
Jeremy Reed of Vermont reposted a comment from former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr, which also addressed the issue of contradicting rhetoric about violence and threats.
“The Democrats have to stop their grossly irresponsible talk about Trump being an existential threat to democracy. He is not.” Barr wrote.
@VTLady3 declared she’s not open to any sympathy from across the political aisle. She wrote, “I don’t accept empty well wishes and condolences from the left! Do you???”
There has been some limited response from voices from Vermont’s political left. Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman retweeted a post from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, stating, “Political violence is absolutely unacceptable. I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.”
The author is a writer for the Vermont Daily Chronicle