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Clinton Blames Trump for Violence by Anti-Trump Protesters: 'He Set a Very Bad Example'

June 5, 2016

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton cast some of the blame for violence by anti-Donald Trump protesters on Trump himself in a CNN interview Friday, saying "he set a very bad example" with his rhetoric on the campaign trail.

Chaos broke out after a Trump rally in San Jose Thursday night when anti-Trump protesters assaulted the Republican's supporters as they exited.

"Do you condemn the violence? What is your message to people who are protesting Donald Trump?" CNN host Jake Tapper asked.

"I condemn all violence in our political arena," Clinton said. "I condemned it when Donald Trump was inciting it and congratulating people who were engaging in it. I condemn it by those who are taking violent protests to physical assault against Donald Trump. This has to end. He set a very bad example.

"He created an environment in which it seemed to be acceptable for someone running for president to be inciting violence, to be encouraging his supporters. Now, we’re seeing people who were against him responding in kind. It should all stop. It is not acceptable."

No doubt Clinton was referring to Trump's remarks at rallies that people should "knock the crap out of" protesters against him or that he personally wanted to punch one in the face.

She added Trump had "lowered the bar" and it was no surprise that people opposing his candidacy were stepping over that bar.

Clinton supporter and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo gave a similar response Thursday night when his city was beset by the violence, telling the Associated Press that Trump needed to "take responsibility for the irresponsible behavior of his campaign."