Reince Priebus: Party leaders on both sides need to denounce violence

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said Monday that party leaders on both sides need to denounce violence as the 2016 presidential race heats up, also saying that certain media have overplayed altercations thus far.

“I think there’s plenty of blame to go around,” Mr. Priebus said on “CBS This Morning.” “I think party leaders on both sides need to denounce violence. I certainly have, and I don’t think violence is the answer. I think violence begets violence, and so I always think it takes two to tango, but obviously it needs to be denounced from all sides.”

He also said he thinks the media is “obsessed” with it.

“Other shows have this stuff on a constant loop,” he said. “They find an altercation and they play it, and it’s 24/7. They pre-empt everything else — everyone’s kicked off the air for hours and hours so that we can keep talking about a couple knuckleheads swinging at each other.”

Asked about GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s warning of “riots” should Mr. Trump be denied the nomination heading into the GOP convention with the most delegates, Mr. Priebus said he didn’t put it at the level of a warning.

“Obviously he said yesterday he doesn’t believe that,” Mr. Priebus said, going on to say that they would be prepared for all contingencies and will have more than $50 million in security at the convention.

“We’ll be prepared, it’ll be fine, and I guarantee you [we’ll] have a good time and it’ll be a fun convention in Cleveland,” he said.

On ABC’s “This Week,” Mr. Trump said he doesn’t condone violence and that there has been “very little” violence at his rallies.

Mr. Trump was also asked if he would tell his supporters not to riot if he lost at the convention fair and square.

“Well, I would certainly tell them that, but, you know, look, these people are fervent,” he said. “They are really — they want to see positive things happen for our country. And I would certainly say that. I don’t want to see riots. I don’t want to see problems.”