President Joe Biden has issued statements in response to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a Pennsylvania rally today.
The former president was shot at while speaking at Butler, Pennsylvania today. After several shots were heard, Trump dropped the the floor of the stage as Secret Service rushed to protect him. More shots were heard and after some time Secret Service helped Trump to his feet. He appeared to have been hit in the ear by a bullet.
Trump then held his fist in the air as he was escorted offstage by Secret Service.
President Biden issued a statement over an hour after the incident.
"I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well," Biden's statement read. "I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety."
"There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it," he added. I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.
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.
Jill and I are grateful to the Secret…
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 13, 2024
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” said Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the campaign in a post. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
"An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania," the Secret Service said in a statement. "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."
Other Democratic politicians, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, promptly issued statements condemning the assassination attempt of Trump.
"My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump," Jeffries wrote. "I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response." 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.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) July 13, 2024
"America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable," Jeffries added.
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also issued a statement.
"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," the former Speaker wrote. "I thank God that former President Trump is safe." 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…
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 13, 2024
"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," Pelosi wrote.
Some X users noted Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been denied Secret Service protection throughout the 2024 campaign season.
