State and local authorities have condemned the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump that took place today in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“I am horrified by this assassination attempt,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Los Angeles) said in a statement. “Political violence has no place in our democracy. It has no place in it. I thank the police and Secret Service for their swift response. I pray for President Trump’s speedy recovery.”
“I am pleased to hear that former President Trump is safe and heartbroken to learn that innocent people in attendance were killed and seriously injured,” LAPD Chief Domonic Choi wrote on X. “We condemn this violence and must remind ourselves that what happened in Pennsylvania today is an unacceptable tragedy and has no place in America. There is a place here for all people and all political affiliations.”
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi offered her own comments and views: “As someone whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe.”
“While I disagree with his politics, I strongly believe that former President Trump and all candidates have the right to campaign safely in public without fear of violence. That is a cornerstone of our democracy,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn wrote on X. “Political violence has no place in the United States.”
“God is with President Trump. Hate and violence are never the answer,” the Los Angeles County Republican Party said in a statement about X.
“Violence has no place in our democracy and my thoughts are with President Trump and all those affected by today’s rally,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
“Please join me in praying for President Trump and our country,” said Jessica Milan Patterson, chair of the California Republican Party.
President Joe Biden responded to the shooting in a statement, saying, “I’m glad to hear he’s safe and well. As we await more information, I am praying for him, his family and all those who were at the rally. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for evacuating him to safety. Violence like this has no place in America, and we must come together as a nation to condemn it,” Biden said.
Shortly after 5:10 p.m., Biden delivered a broadcast statement from Delaware, calling the violence “sick.”
Asked if he believed it was an assassination attempt, he said he didn’t have enough information and said he hoped to speak to Trump later in the evening and would let reporters know when he did.
Trump, the leading Republican candidate in this year’s presidential election, crouched to the ground and clutched his ears after hearing several gunshots during a campaign speech on Saturday afternoon.
He was surrounded by Secret Service agents and photographed with a bloodied face before being taken from the scene.
Witnesses at the scene told reporters that the gunman and a protester were killed. Another protester was wounded.
The gunman was reportedly shot dead by a Secret Service counter-sniper team. “President Trump thanks the police and emergency responders for their swift action in response to this heinous incident,” spokesman Steven Chang said.
“He is in good spirits and is undergoing examinations at a local medical facility. Further details will be provided at a later date,” he said in a statement to reporters.