As Donald Trump condemned the "political violence" gripping the US on Wednesday, some are questioning if the president himself is responsible for it.
Earlier in the day, pipe bombs were sent to Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, other top Democrats and CNN, further inflaming America's already tense political landscape.
Mr Trump's critics have already said it comes after sustained attacks by the president on his political enemies, which at times seemed to condone violence.
The president once suggested that "Second Amendment people", or gun rights supporters, could take matters into their own hands against Ms Clinton.
He has tweeted a video of himself beating a wrestler with a CNN logo on his face and told a rally he would pay their legal fees if they engaged in violence against protesters.
A NYPD bomb squad technician outside CNN's New York office after a pipe bomb was mailed to the broadcaster. Source: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY/Sipa USA
"If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously, OK? Just knock the hell... I promise you I will pay for the legal fees. I promise," he said.
And just last week, he reiterated his support for a congressman who assaulted a reporter in 2017.
"Any guy that can do a body-slam, he's my kind of guy," he said.
Top Democrat lawmakers Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer released a statement Wednesday saying that "time and time again, the president has condoned physical violence and divided Americans with his words and his actions".
The pair cited how Mr Trump expressed support "for the Congressman who body-slammed a reporter, the neo-Nazis who killed a young woman in Charlottesville, his supporters at rallies who get violent with protesters, dictators around the world who murder their own citizens, and referring to the free press as the enemy of the people".
Mr Trump tweeted a video of himself beating wrestler with a CNN logo on his face. Source: Twitter
US Representative Bill Pascrell, a New Jersey Democrat, said that "for years now, Donald Trump has been calling for the jailing of his critics and has lauded violence against journalists".
"The danger of right-wing extremism cannot be ignored and more attention must be paid to it before even worse violence occurs."
While CNN president Jeff Zucker said "there is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media".
"Words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that."
President of CNN Jeff Zucker has taken aim at the White House for its constant attacks on the media. Source: AP
And closer to home, some of Mr Trump's critics have echoed these concerns.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale tweeted that "we should be outraged but not surprised. When politicians use fear-mongering and scare tactics, directed at people in our society, the fringes feel empowered to take matters in their own hands".
Trump pushes back
But the president has already pushed back at the idea that he is at least partly to blame.
He called on the media to stop its "endless hostility" and "false attacks" in comments addressing pipe bombs.
Speaking to supporters at a campaign rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, the president began with measured remarks arguing public figures had a duty to tone down their rhetoric.
"No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historical villains, which is done, it's done all the time," he said.
"The media also has a responsibility to set a civil tone and stop the endless hostility and constant negative and often times false attacks and stories ... Have to do it. They've got to stop."
And earlier Wednesday, Mr Trump strongly condemned the failed attacks.
"Acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America," Mr Trump said at the White House.
"We're extremely angry, upset, unhappy about what we witnessed this morning and we will get to the bottom of it."
Conservatives have also hit back at the idea that Mr Trump holds any responsibility to the failed attack.
Acting president of the conservative Ethics and Public Policy Center Yuval Levin told Politico that "we don't really know what's going on here and it would be odd to start placing blame before we really know what people are being blamed for".
"Trump's tone is unbecoming of a president and it's certainly damaging to the political culture, but you would have to make some connection here before placing blame."
Republicans have previously criticised Democrats and liberal activists as a "mob," decrying protesters crowding the US Capitol to oppose Mr Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and confronting and chastising Republican lawmakers in restaurants and other settings.
Additional reporting: AFP, AAP
