Biden Says He’s Directed an Independent Review of Security at Trump Rally

WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden said on July 14 that he has asked for an independent review of security at the Pennsylvania rally where former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt.

Speaking from the Roosevelt Room at the White House, the president said the FBI is still conducting its investigation, which is still in its early stages, and urged people not to make assumptions.

“We don’t yet have any information about the motive of the shooter. We know who he is. I urge everyone, everyone, please don’t make assumptions about his motives or his affiliations,” the president said.

“I’ve instructed that this investigation be thorough and swift, and the investigators will have every resource they need to get this done.”

Authorities earlier identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the deceased shooter. The assailant shot multiple times from an elevated position near the rally site, according to the Secret Service, before he was killed by Secret Service agents.

Related Stories

President Biden said the assassination attempt was “contrary to everything we stand for as a nation.”

“It’s not who we are as a nation, it’s not America, and we cannot allow this to happen,” he said, while calling for unity.

The president also directed the Secret Service to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention, which begins on July 15 in Milwaukee. The former president is due to be nominated as Republican presidential candidate on Thursday.

President Biden said he will make further remarks during a speech tonight from the Oval Office.

The president has postponed his trip to Austin, Texas, on Monday where he was scheduled to deliver remarks for the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

In addition, Vice President Kamala Harris postponed her planned campaign trip to South Florida on Sunday.

President Biden said that he spoke with his predecessor last night after the incident, describing the call as “a short, but good conversation.”

“I’m sincerely grateful that he’s doing well and recovering,” he said.

The president also offered his condolences to the family of the man who was killed. According to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Mr. Comperatore was killed while diving on his family to protect them.

“He was a father, he was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired,” the president said.

“We must unite as one nation to demonstrate who we are,” he added.

Before the speech, the president and vice president received a briefing in the White House Situation Room from homeland security and law enforcement officials.

This is the second time the president delivered remarks following the assassination attempt. He decided to end his weekend visit to Rehoboth Beach, Del., early in order to return to Washington and receive further briefing on the incident.