Kentucky politicians condemn political violence against Trump, Comer calls for investigation

Kentucky politicians issued a series of statements condemning political violence and offering prayers for former President Donald Trump, who was injured in an attempt on his life at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

U.S. Representative James Comer, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, announced shortly after the failed assassination attempt that he would convene a formal hearing with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to further investigate the attack. Comer told Fox News he expects to hold the hearing on July 22.

“I thank the brave members of the Secret Service who risked their lives to protect President Trump and the American patriots in the audience who helped others injured,” Comer said in a statement. “Political violence in any form is un-American and unacceptable. There are many questions and Americans demand answers.”

Trump was injured when a gunman the FBI identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on a rally north of Pittsburgh. One attendee, identified as firefighter Corey Comperatore, was killed and two others were wounded. The gunman was also killed.

US Senator Rand Paul asked people to “keep Trump and all those who attended the rally in our thoughts and prayers,” and Senator Mitch McConnell said in a post that he was grateful that Trump was safe after the “despicable attack on a peaceful rally.”

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

Many Kentucky lawmakers and officials also prayed for Trump, asked for prayers and condemned the violence on both sides of the aisle.

“Britain and I are praying for the safety and health of the former president,” Democratic Governor Andy Beshear said in a statement. “Violence is never the answer. Never.”

Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams responded to X video footage of the attack, saying, “May God protect the former president and everyone at that rally. Political violence, from the right or the left, is never the answer.”

Attorney General Russell Coleman, also a Republican, said he was praying for the former president and the “senior U.S. intelligence professionals.”

“No matter what you believe, there is no place for political violence in our country,” Coleman said.

Leading members of the Kentucky General Assembly also condemned the attack. Robert Stivers, President of the Kentucky Senate, called the attack “brazen” and “inexcusable.” House Speaker David Osborne called it an attack on “the founding principles of our nation.”

Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer called Saturday “a very sad day in American history.” He said he was relieved that Trump was not more seriously injured, but mourned the participant who was killed in the attack.

“We will never forget this day,” Thayer said.

State Senator Whitney Westerfield, a Republican from Christian County, called on politicians and activists to “lower the temperature” in their communications with the public and in private.

“Rebut and condemn calls for violence, whether implicit or explicit,” Westerfield said. “Elections must be won on the basis of ideas, not on the basis of fear of ‘them.’ I fear that if we don’t do that, it could be damaging to our nation.”

Coverage of state government and politics is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.