Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence is calling the firebombing of a North Carolina GOP office “political terrorism.” Pence visited the Hillsborough office on Tuesday on a campaign run through the state.
“I wanted to come by to call attention to this cowardly attack on our supporters in North Carolina and to no less extent an attack on the American political system,” Pence told reporters. The GOP vice presidential nominee said the incident was an “act of political terrorism,” and praised the community for coming together to “move forward undeterred, unintimidated by this senseless act of violence.”
Local police say evidence from the scene is still being processed. Law enforcement is receiving assistance from the North Carolina Bureau of Investigations, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“An attack on our political system is an attack on us all,” said Pence.
Pence toured the charred office with Orange County GOP chairman Daniel Ashley and explained what is known so far about the incident.
When asked about Trump’s claims that the election is rigged, Pence said “proven instances of voter fraud” had been uncovered in recent years. The vice presidential candidate called on Americans to get involved by voting and providing accountability at polling places in “a respectful way.”
