Politicians from both political parties expressed outrage after former President Donald Trump was rushed off the stage at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. on Saturday evening after shots were heard near the beginning of the event.
The incident, which left one rally attendee dead and the suspected gunman shot by Secret Service agents, is being investigated as a possible assassination attempt. The shooting occurred just minutes after the rally began, sending attendees into chaos.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. As shots rang out, Trump ducked and placed his hand to his ear as he was quickly surrounded by security personnel, with visible blood on his face. A spokesman for Trump’s campaign later said the former President was “fine,” although details about his injuries remained unclear.
Trump posted on his Truth Social account that he was shot by a bullet that pierced the upper part of his right ear. “I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” he wrote.
Local authorities, including Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger, confirmed that two individuals were dead, including the suspected shooter. Investigations are currently underway, with the FBI, Secret Service, and ATF involved in determining the motives behind the attack.
Reactions from political leaders and the public poured in, with widespread condemnation of the violence and calls for unity in the wake of the deadly incident.
President Joe Biden
President Joe Biden said in televised remarks that he hopes to speak with Trump tonight, declaring there is “no place for this kind of violence in America. It’s sick. It’s sick.”
“We cannot allow this to be happening,” he added. “We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.” Biden said the rally should have been able to be conducted peacefully, and that he tried to get in touch with Trump following the incident. “I plan on talking to him, shortly, I hope,” the President said.
gunshots rang out at Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania campaign rally.” index=”12″ id=”6998284″ src=”https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/donald-trump-rally-gun-shots-17.jpg” title=”Joe Biden” loading=”lazy” width=”2400″ height=”1600″ decoding=”async” data-nimg=”1″ previous-src=”https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/donald-trump-rally-gun-shots-17.jpg?quality=75&w=2400″/>President Joe Biden speaks, July 13, 2024, in Rehoboth Beach, Del., addressing news that gunshots rang out at Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania campaign rally. Manuel Balce Ceneta—AP
He added, “I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.” Biden also said that “every agency in the federal government” is investigating the matter and providing him reports. He said he does not know enough to say if this was an assassination attempt.
Biden was at church in Rehoboth Beach, Del. during the shooting, and will return to the White House tonight. He was initially supposed to remain in Delaware for the weekend. Following the incident, Biden’s presidential re-election campaign announced it is pausing all campaign ads for the time being.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson
House Speaker Mike Johnson,