Leading politicians on both sides of the aisle have quickly responded to what law enforcement officials told The Associated Press was an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his July 13 rally in Pennsylvania. One attendee was killed and two seriously injured, according to county authorities.
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick, it’s sick,” President Biden said at the emergency briefing room in Rehoboth, Delaware.
“It’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” he said. “We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”
President Joe Biden delivered remarks on Saturday evening after former President Donald Trump was shot and injured during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick, it’s sick,” President Biden said from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he’s spending his weekend.
“It’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” President Biden continued. “We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”
Two spectators were critically injured and one killed during the attack on former President Donald Trump, the Secret Service confirmed in a statement.
The Secret Service also confirmed that it had killed the suspected assailant, who fired the shots “from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.”
Former President Trump, on his platform Truth Social, confirmed that a bullet pierced his ear.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he said. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
He thanked the Secret Service, and “all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response to the shooting” and expressed condolences to the family of the person who was fatally shot and another one who was seriously injured.
President Joe Biden delivered remarks on Saturday evening after former President Donald Trump was shot and injured during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick, it’s sick,” President Biden said at the emergency briefing room in Rehoboth, Delaware.
“It’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” President Biden said. “We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”
Former President Donald Trump is injured but doing well after he said a bullet grazed his right ear while he spoke at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
The Secret Service shot and killed the attacker, who fired from a roof outside the security perimeter.
One rally attendee was killed and another 2 seriously injured during the shooting.
Former President Donald Trump was minutes into his speech in front of a crowd of tens of thousands of people in Butler, Pennsylvania, when what sounded like several gunshots interrupted the event. The former president grabbed his right ear and dropped behind his podium before Secret Service agents quickly gathered around him.
BUTLER, Pa.—Former President Trump is safe with a minor injury after an attack during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. The person who allegedly shot him is dead, according to the Butler County district attorney.
Law enforcement officials said that Trump appeared to be the target of an assassination, the Associated Press reported.
A rallygoer was also killed in the attack, according to the district attorney’s office. The Epoch Times has contacted the district attorney’s office for more information. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told CNN that another rallygoer is in serious condition.
Former President Trump was minutes into his speech in front of a crowd of thousands when gunshots interrupted the event. The former president winced and grabbed his right ear before Secret Service agents brought him down to the floor near the podium.
Several more shots rang out while the president was down. Moments later, back on his feet, surrounded by Secret Service agents, and blood running down his face, the president said, “Wait, wait, wait,” and pumped his fist three times toward the crowd.
Former President Trump then walked down from the stage surrounded by agents.
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“The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available,” the Secret Service said in a statement.
The Secret Service killed the assailant, who had targeted the former president from outside the security perimeter. Several rally attendees told The Epoch Times and NTD that the shooter was atop a nearby barn. An eyewitness who spoke to BBC also said the shooter was atop a building.
The apparent assassination attempt is the first such attack on a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan in 1981. The attack occurred just two days before the GOP convention, where the former president is expected to be formally nominated as the Republican Party presidential nominee in the 2024 election.
“The entire crowd just went down. Everybody was covering themselves, just trying to stay safe,” one observer told NTD immediately after the incident.
Shortly after 6:30 p.m. ET, a medical helicopter landed near the site of the rally. The Trump campaign said the former president “is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” said Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung.
The White House said that President Joe Biden “has received an initial briefing on the incident,” including with Homeland Security officials.
“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” he said.
President Biden also expressed his gratitude to the Secret Service.
“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” he added.
Vice President Kamala Harris similarly said that she’s relieved to hear he’s “not seriously injured.”
“We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” she said in a statement.
“Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro condemned the violence and said he has been briefed on the situation. He said state police “are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local partners.”
Mike Boatman, a part of the group known as the Front Row Joes, has attended 94 rallies for the former president. He said he was in the center of the front row and to his left heard the pop-pop-pop of shots.
He was stunned to see former President Trump clutch his right ear and disappear behind the lectern where he’d been speaking.
He heard another volley of shots.
“I would have rather they shot me than him,” Mr. Boatman, of Evansville, Indiana, told The Epoch Times. “He’s the only guy who can save this country.”
“Unbelievable. They’ve tried everything to keep him from being the president again. They tried everything. … Now they’re trying to assassinate him.
Reactions Pour In
Robert F. Kennedy, who is mounting an independent bid for the White House, wrote on X, “Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was one of the first Democrats to react to the incident.
“Violence has NO place in our democracy. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted at the rally today,” he wrote in a post on X.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a possible vice presidential pick, wrote on X, “God protected President Trump”
Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, wrote, “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote on X: “I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also responded with a post on X: “Political violence is absolutely unacceptable.I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote a message on X, “As one 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.”
“As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed.”
Former President Barack Obama also weighed in and wished former President Trump “a quick recovery.”
“Grateful for the swift response by law enforcement and Secret Service. Wishing President Trump a swift recovery.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence shared his reaction on X: “Karen and I are praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Original News Source Link – Epoch Times
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