CNN’s Dana Bash confronted a Republican congressman about former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and sharing of violent images concentrated on his enemies.

In an interview on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday, Bash grilled Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) — who represents a purple district — about a number of of the previous president’s posts on his Fact Social platform. Notably in a number of posts, Trump has attacked the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan — who’s presiding over his New York prison trial. The former president additionally shared an image of President Joe Biden tied in the back of a pickup truck.

“All week, he has been aggressively attacking the judge overseeing one in all his trials to your state of New York,” Bash mentioned. “He’s also gone after the decide’s daughter — posting her name and picture on social media. On Friday, he targeted some other perceived enemy, the President of america, his rival for the white House. He posted a video with violent imagery of Biden hogtied at the back of a pickup truck. Does Trump going after a decide’s family, promoting violent images of President Biden, cross a line?”

Lawler ducked the question — now not commenting on the particular posts Bash requested about. The congressman also didn’t specifically condemn Trump, and as a substitute argued that political rhetoric must be softened on each side.

“I feel everyone needs to tone down the rhetoric, the language,” Lawler stated. “And you know, obviously, social media has grow to be a automobile through which to bludgeon folks. I simply think on the end of the day, the former president, current president, and on down, every body have a accountability to check our language, to observe what we’re saying, and to focal point on the problems at hand.”

After the congressman dodged, Bash asked the question once more.

“You probably have a candidate for president who’s dealing with a prison scenario going after … no longer just the choose, but striking photos of the choose’s daughter, title and face, on social media,” Bash mentioned. “I simply wish to be clear: Are you denouncing that? I do know you mentioned each side, but I’m asking you about this specific difficulty.”

“Families will have to all the time be off limits,” Lawler responded. “Clearly, the previous president has each right to defend himself in court docket. However I think the point of interest of this campaign and this election will have to be on the American folks, and the issues dealing with the American folks.”

Bash then asked the swing district congressman if he plans to back Trump within the fall.

“You didn’t recommend Donald Trump in the main,” Bash stated. “Are you going to toughen him for president?”

Lawler would not commit.

“Look, I’m now not focused right now on the presidential race,” he stated. “I am eager about my campaign, and my district. And, the work that we’re doing right here. And one day, I’m certain I’ll have a comment, with admire to the presidential race. However right now, I’m interested by my district.”

Watch above, by means of CNN.

The publish WATCH: GOP Congressman Awkwardly Dodges When Confronted By means of CNN’s Dana Bash About Trump Attacking Decide’s Daughter on Social Media first seemed on Mediaite.