Democrats, Republicans quickly condemn deadly shooting at Trump rally
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Former President Trump is rushed off stage at a rally in Butler, Pa., on Saturday. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
A shooting that killed at least one spectator and left former President Trump with blood on his face during a rally in Pennsylvania was met with swift bipartisan condemnation on Saturday.
The big picture: Members of Congress, cabinet officials and former presidents quickly denounced the incident, saying violence has no place in U.S. politics.
Driving the news: "I am 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," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.
- President Biden and the first lady were "grateful to the Secret Service for getting [Trump] to safety," the president said in a statement.
- "There's no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it," the president added, later calling the incident "sick."
- "Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
The latest: Trump's campaign communications director said the former president is "fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility," Axios' Sophia Cai and Erin Doherty reported.
- Trump confirmed later on Truth Social that a bullet had hit his upper ear.
- One rally attendee and the shooter were killed, while two spectators were critically injured, the U.S. Secret Service said in a statement.
What they're saying: "We must all condemn this abhorrent act," Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement.
- "Although we don't yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn't seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics," former President Barack Obama said in a statement.
- "Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery," he added.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said in a post on X: "This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned."
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a post on X that his "thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. ... America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable."
- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who was critically injured in the 2017 congressional baseball shooting, said on X: "Praying for President Donald Trump. There is never any place for political violence."
Zoom in: Former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), the victim of a shooting in 2011 that left her with life-threatening injuries, said in a statement, "Political violence is terrifying. I know."
- "I'm holding former President Trump, and all those affected by today's indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable — never," she said.
- Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he was "encouraged to hear" that Trump was doing well. "An entire nation must speak with one voice today to completely and unequivocally reject all political violence," he added.
- "The entire Department of Defense condemns this violence, which has absolutely no place in our democracy," Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin said in a statement. "This is not the way that we resolve our differences in America—and it must never be."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional statements from officials and details about the incident.
