Democrats have spent years spewing radical rhetoric, but even they can see that political discourse has gotten out of hand following the shocking assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life on Saturday.
Prominent Democrats including Bill and Hillary Clinton have called for a restoration of civility after years of ratcheting divisions.
While Trump and Hillary Clinton were bitter electoral rivals in 2016, President Clinton said he and his wife are both wishing Trump their best.
In a statement, Bill Clinton said, "Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process. Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today's rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service."
Trump's electoral opponent, Joe Biden, called for Americans to "lower the temperature" in a speech from the Oval Office on Sunday night.
Trump and Biden also had a cordial phone call, with Trump saying Biden "couldn't have been nicer."
It's a striking tone shift in what has been until now a bitterly divisive presidential campaign.
Many on the right. including Trump's VP pick J.D Vance, have blamed Biden's rhetoric for the shooting, pointing to his and other Democrats' claims that Trump is an existential threat to the country.
Despite his calls for unity, Biden has faced criticism for doubling down on his campaign theme that Trump is a danger to democracy.
In an interview with Lester Holt Monday night, Biden denied inflaming political tensions and faulted Trump for creating division.
"I’m not the guy that said, ‘I want to be a dictator on day one.’ I’m not the guy that refused to accept the outcome of the election. I’m not the guy who said he won’t accept the outcome of this election automatically," Biden said.
Meanwhile, President Trump has urged the country to come together. The Republican presidential candidate said he is rewriting his speech at the Republican National Convention to focus on a unifying theme.
While rhetoric has cooled somewhat in the last few days, it remains to be seen how long the detente will last. In any event, it's clear to many Americans that things have gotten out of hand.
