Overview
- At the Dec. 9 Washington event moderated by Savannah Guthrie, the governors urged Americans to reject violent rhetoric and conduct.
- Josh Shapiro called for universal condemnation of political violence and criticized President Trump for stoking hate, while Spencer Cox said he has spoken with the president and believes he would reject violence.
- Cox warned the nation is crossing checkpoints toward failed states or even civil war if political hatred persists and appealed for dignity in public life.
- The pair split on social media remedies, with Cox backing a federal ban on platforms for users under 16 and Shapiro favoring digital literacy education over broad bans.
- Their message drew weight from recent attacks in their states, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah and the firebombing of Shapiro’s home in Pennsylvania, as protesters briefly interrupted the cathedral conversation.