Shooting at Trump rally: Trump opponents and allies condemn violence

Both political allies and opponents of Donald Trump react with serious concern after Shots were fired to the former president at a rally in Pennsylvania.

The Secret Service says Trump is “safe” after agents dragged him from the stage after several shots appeared to be fired at the rally. The former president raised his fist in the air in a show of strength, blood streaming down his face and ear.

One participant in the rally was killed and two others seriously injured, the Secret Service said in a statement on Saturday evening.

“I have been informed of the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” President Biden said in a statement. “I am grateful to hear that he is OK and safe. I am praying for him and his family and for everyone who was at the rally as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as a nation to condemn it.”

The President later gave a brief televised remarksand said: “There is no place for this kind of violence in America. It is sick. It is sick. That is one of the reasons why we must unite this country. We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot be like this. We cannot tolerate this.”

Other political leaders from both parties, including Trump critics, expressed concern for his safety and condemned the violence.

Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement: “We are praying for him, his family, and all those injured or affected by this senseless shooting. … Violence like this has no place in our country. We must all condemn this heinous act and do our part to ensure it does not lead to further violence.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on X: “As someone whose family has been a victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society,” referring to the Attack on her husbandPaul Pelosi. “I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrific incident, let us pray that all who attended the former President’s rally today remain unharmed.”

“I am appalled by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. “Political violence has no place in our country.”

“Violence against political parties or political leaders is absolutely unacceptable,” Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro said on X. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice is on the ground in Butler County working with our federal and local partners.”

“Political violence is absolutely intolerable in American democracy,” Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, who led the charge during Trump’s impeachment trial, wrote on X. “We all hope that former President Trump is safe and that no one else was hurt. We are grateful for the response of law enforcement and hope they get to the bottom of this horrific attack and its causes.”

Trump’s estranged former Vice President Mike Pence posted on X: “Karen and I are praying for President Trump and urge all Americans to join us.”

Former presidents also spoke out.

Former President Barack Obama wrote on X that there is “absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.”

“While we do not yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump was not seriously injured and use this moment to recommit to decency and respect in our politics,” Obama wrote. “Michelle and I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Former President George W. Bush also expressed gratitude that Trump was safe and thanked law enforcement.

“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attempt on his life,” Bush wrote. “And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their swift response.”

Republican Senator JD Vance of Ohio, one of Trump’s possible candidates for vice president, wrote on X: “Please join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at this rally. I hope everyone is doing well.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had been informed of the incident and condemned “this horrific act of political violence.”

“Kelly and I pray for President Trump and everyone at the campaign rally in Pennsylvania today and thank the police officers who were on the scene,” Johnson wrote on X. “I have been briefed by the police officers and continue to monitor developments. This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and decisively condemned.”

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of the president’s most ardent supporters in the upper house, also referred to the prayer.

“Thank God President Trump seems to be OK,” Graham wrote on X. “Just another reminder of the times we live in. We must pray fervently for anyone who may have been injured at the rally.”

Reactions were also received from foreign politicians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Channel X that he and his wife were shocked by the incident and prayed for “his safety and speedy recovery.”

New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on social media that he was “horrified by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send our best wishes to him and his family. Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.”

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also condemned the shooting, writing on social media: “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy. I pray for the speedy recovery of former President Trump.”

This is an evolving story