Donald Trump’s political allies and opponents responded with concern can shoot fired at the former president at a rally in Pennsylvania.
The Secret Service said Trump was “safe,” after agents rushed off stage after several shots were fired at the rally. The former president pumped his fist in the air in a show of strength, blood running down his face and ears.
“The incident occurred on the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania,” USSS spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. “The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is currently an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released as it becomes available.”
The president and vice president have been briefed on the incident, but have yet to comment. Trump’s critics responded with concern about the president’s safety, condemning the violence.
“As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence has no place in our society,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on X, referring to the attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi. “I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this terrible incident, let’s pray that everyone who attended the former president’s rally today will not be harmed.”
“I am horrified 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 targeting political parties or political leaders is completely unacceptable,” said Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro on X. “There is no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice is on the scene in Butler County and working with federal and local partners.”
“Political violence is categorically intolerable in an American democracy,” Rep. Democrat Jamie Raskin, the lead impeachment manager during Trump’s impeachment process, wrote in X. “We all hope that former President Trump is safe and that no one else is injured. We are grateful for the response of law enforcement and we hope that they will get closer to the attack what a terrible thing this is and how it happened.
Trump’s estranged former vice president, Mike Pence, posted on X, “Karen and I are praying for President Trump and asking every American to join us.”
Former President George W. Bush expressed gratitude that Trump was also safe, thanking law enforcement.
“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe after the cowardly attack on his life,” Bush wrote. “And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their quick response.”
Republican Senator JD Vance of Ohio, one of Trump’s vice presidential candidates, wrote on X, “Everyone is praying for President Trump and everyone at the rally. I hope everyone is ok.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had been informed of the incident, condemning “this heinous act of political violence.”
“Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all the participants of today’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania, and we send thanks to law enforcement who responded to the scene,” wrote Johnson on X. “I have been notified by law enforcement. and continue to monitor this horrific development of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of the president’s most fervent supporters in the upper chamber, also shared a prayer.
“Thank God, President Trump looks okay,” Graham wrote on X. “Just another reminder of the times we are in. We need to pray hard for anyone who may be injured at the rally.”
This is a developing story