Condemnation of Trump’s shooting crosses party lines

As news of the shooting at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania spread, leaders from Buffalo, Western New York and New York State expressed sentiments of condemnation and concern late Saturday morning.

Former President Donald Trump was apparently assassinated at a rally in Pennsylvania, just days before he was due to accept the Republican nomination for the third time.

On Saturday, a volley of gunfire sparked panic. A bloodied Trump was surrounded by the Secret Service and led to his SUV, his fist clenched in defiance.

Trump’s campaign team said the likely Republican nominee was “doing well” after the shooting, in which his right ear was pierced.

“Tonight we have witnessed a very heinous and senseless act of political violence in this country that I thought I would never see in my lifetime,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy during a press conference. “It is an assassination attempt on President Trump.”

Representative Tim Kennedy also expressed his concern after the incident, saying: “There is absolutely no place for violence in our democracy and society.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined the chorus of political leaders condemning the shooting incident. “Any violence against a fellow American is abhorrent and unacceptable,” she said. “We must express political disagreement peacefully, civilly and respectfully.”

In response to the shooting, US Senator Chuck Schumer said: “I am appalled,” joining the wave of condemnation of all political violence.

At the local level, Mark Poloncarz, Erie County executive and a consistent critic of Trump, said: “In our society, violence of any kind is never acceptable. In our country, we resolve our differences at the ballot box, not with violence.”