State Rep. Donni Steele, R-Orion Township, on Tuesday released the following statement after a 50-year-old father and volunteer firefighter was killed during the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Corey Comperatore died as he shielded his family from incoming fire during the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“The words we use have consequences. Forgetting this simple reality is something every single elected official is guilty of. It doesn’t matter if you’re the township treasurer or the president of the United States. Every person in office is there because people look up to them for leadership.

“I disagree with Gov. Whitmer on plenty of things, but I’ll always respect her for being a strong female leader in a field where female leadership is lacking. I disagree with Speaker Tate on several policy issues, but being able to serve with the first black Speaker of the House in Michigan’s history is an honor I look forward to telling my grandkids about. I disagree with President Biden on just about everything. But he, just like President Trump and every other politician, deserves the peace of mind to know they’re safe to go home, go to church, and enjoy their family.

“Too often, we use words to attack our political opponents. Debates on policy are crucial for the health of our nation. But those policy discussions have devolved into bickering about personalities and hidden motives. That bickering left a former president less than an inch away from death and two daughters without a father this past weekend. We cannot continue our current path, or we risk more death and destruction.

“It takes two seconds to recognize the good in people we disagree with. Whether a handshake, text message, or a post to social media – the burden falls on all of us to use more time lifting up all people regardless of the R or D next to their name. This is an opportunity for us all to stop using words to tear others down and restore basic civility and respect toward everyone from the president to our volunteer firefighters.”

###