Condemnation of political violence after shooting at Trump rally

WASHINGTON — Members of Congress on Saturday rejected political violence after a shooting at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania left at least one attendee dead and forced the Secret Service to rush the former president off stage.

Local authorities confirmed that the shooter had been killed, according to the Associated Press.

The shooting at an outdoor rally in Butler, an hour outside Pittsburgh, occurred less than 48 hours before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Trump is expected to become the party’s official presidential nominee on Thursday.

Video footage from the rally shows Trump putting his hand to the right side of his face and ducking behind the podium just after several gunshots and screams were heard. U.S. Secret Service agents gathered around the former president and ushered him off stage as he reached out to raise his fist in the air toward the crowd.

Trump campaign spokesman Steve Cheung released a statement shortly afterward saying the former president was “doing well” and thanking law enforcement.

“Let us pray for President Trump”

Members of Congress from both political parties unanimously condemned the violence in a wave of social media posts and official statements.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said on social media that he was “praying for President Trump.”

“Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and everyone at the campaign rally today in Pennsylvania, and we extend our gratitude to the law enforcement officers who responded to the scene,” Johnson wrote.

“I have been briefed by law enforcement and continue to monitor the situation,” Johnson added. “This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and must be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, issued a written statement saying he was “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,” Schumer wrote.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky wrote on social media that “all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be doing well after a despicable attack on a peaceful gathering.”

“Violence has no place in our politics,” McConnell wrote. “We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, wrote on social media that his “thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump.”

“I am grateful for the decisive response by law enforcement,” Jeffries wrote. “America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”

Congressmen react with horror

Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff condemned the incident in a statement Saturday.

“I join all Georgians and Americans in condemning this despicable act of violence and praying for former President Trump’s full recovery. I thank the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift response. Political violence is never acceptable and can never be tolerated,” Ossoff said.

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania issued a statement saying he was monitoring the situation unfolding in western Pennsylvania.

“I have reached out to the State Police to offer my support. Political violence is never acceptable and I hope former President Trump and all participants are safe. Everyone in Butler should listen to law enforcement,” Casey wrote on social media.

Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, whose wife Gabby Giffords, a former congresswoman, was shot and killed at an event in 2011, said they were both “horrified.”

“Gabby and I are horrified by the incident in Pennsylvania,” Kelly wrote. “No one should ever have to endure political violence – we know that. Our thoughts are with former President Trump, his family, and everyone involved.”

Giffords wrote on her own social media account that “political violence is terrifying. I know.”

“My heart goes out to former President Trump and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable, ever,” Giffords wrote.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, wrote on social media that “political violence is despicable and has no place in America.”

“I am grateful that former President Trump is safe and well, as are the law enforcement officers who risked their lives to act,” Peters wrote. “I will continue to monitor the situation closely as it unfolds.”

Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins wrote on social media that she was “very relieved that President Trump appears to be okay; however, this violence is absolutely appalling.”

“Thank goodness for the Secret Service and first responders who quickly got President Trump out of harm’s way,” Collins wrote.

Quick response

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat, praised the quick response of Secret Service agents and other authorities at the scene.

“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Donald Trump and his family after hearing the news of a shooting at his campaign rally today,” DeLauro of Connecticut posted on social media.

Mike Turner, a Republican from Ohio and chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, issued a statement saying, “As the situation unfolds in Butler, Pennsylvania, I urge everyone to join me in praying for President Trump and our country.”

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik of New York wrote on social media: “AMERICA IS PRAYING! GOD BLESS PRESIDENT TRUMP! #SAVEAMERICA”

“I’m praying for President Trump. I hope everyone joins me,” former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy wrote on X.

“Jacquie and I are praying for President Trump and everyone at today’s rally. President Trump is a proven warrior who has overcome adversity time and time again. He will come out of this horrific situation stronger than ever,” said Minnesota House Republican Leader Tom Emmer.

Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a vocal Trump critic and ranking member of the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, said news of the shooting was “horrific.”

“Violence of any kind has no place in American politics. We are grateful for the response of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies and pray for the former president and all those injured,” Cheney wrote on social media.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on social media saying he was “shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump.”

“We pray for his safety and speedy recovery,” the leader of the US ally said.

Georgia Recorder associate editor Jill Nolin contributed to this report.