Facing a backlash, state Rep. Steven Woodrow, a Democrat from Denver, described his tweet calling former President Donald Trump “the devil” following Saturday’s assassination attempt as “inarticulate” and apologized that his words “caused additional pain.” 

Woodrow made the post shortly after a shooter tried to assassinate Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania. A bullet pierced Trump’s ear and Secret Service agents quickly whisked him from the stage, his ear covered in blood. The gunman was killed and a bystander also died.

After Saturday’s shooting, Woodrow posted, “The last thing we needed was sympathy for the devil but here we are.” Woodrow deleted his X account shortly after making the post. 

In a statement to Colorado Politics on Monday, Woodrow called his tweet “inarticulate” and condemned the assassination attempt on the former president “in the most forceful of terms.” 

“My message, as inarticulate as it was, is that acts of violence like this are awful and only make it more likely that Trump now wins,” he said. “We must always resolve our differences peacefully at the ballot box — not through violence. I know people are hurting, and apologize that my words caused additional pain.”

Several of Colorado’s top Democrats have condemned Woodrow’s post.

House leaders, notably House Speaker Rep. Julie McCluskie called Woodrow’s post “in poor taste.”

She acknowledged Woodrow’s apology and the fact that he deleted the post and his X account.

McCluskie, who has been pushing for bipartisanship after a contentious 2023 legislative session that several members characterized as “toxic,” also rebuked individuals who had threatened Woodrow following the tweet, saying, “Violent threats against elected officials like those he is facing are never acceptable. This is a moment for us to come together, turn down the hateful rhetoric, and engage in more respectful political debate.”

House Majority Leader Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, echoed McCluskie’s sentiments: “Violence of any kind is never the answer or solution, and my heart goes out to everyone impacted by this weekend’s tragic events. Rep. Woodrow has apologized for his tweet, which was the right thing to do. We condemn the threats and attacks he is receiving and renew our call to all Coloradans to talk about our differences with respect.”

Republican Rep. Ryan Armagost of Berthoud pressed for Woodrow’s removal, calling him a “leftist extremist” and “Weasel Woody.” 

“The act was disgusting, the horrific loss of a hero’s life and a family’s trauma is tragic, the (mostly) unilateral message of unity was well received, and the bloody face of our former President and intended target of assassination will now be immortalized and hopefully change the way many look at this next election across the board,” he wrote in a July 15 post. “We need change and we need it now, especially here in our wildly imbalanced and divided state of Colorado!!!”

Rep. Brandi Bradley, R-Roxborough, said she was “at a loss of words” after reading the post.

“If you believe this is tolerant, you aren’t human,” she said. “What a vile and horrific thing to say.” 

“This is the kind of behavior that encourages vitriol and hate for others while telling others he represents the party of love and kindness… take this hateful and unacceptable post down now!” she wrote, before Woodrow deleted his X account.

Meanwhile, former Rep. Patrick Neville, a Republican, condemned the threats made to Woodrow, saying, “I don’t agree with…Woodrow’s comments. That said, any threats against him or his family are more deplorable than what he said.”