President Joe Biden condemned the violence at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, during which Trump was apparently shot in the ear.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well,” Biden said in a statement. “I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.”
“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety,” the president’s statement continued. “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Biden appeared live in front of press and cameras shortly after the statement was issued, offering further remarks.
“Look, there’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick,” the president said. “It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”
Vice President Kamala Harris shared her relief that Trump was not seriously injured.
“Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” Harris said in a statement. “We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
Numerous other political leaders were quick to condemn Saturday’s shooting, an apparent assassination attempt of Trump, at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Former President Barack Obama tweeted, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. 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. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”
Former president Bill Clinton also immediately condemned the shooting. “Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process,” he said, adding that both he and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are “thankful that President Trump is safe.”
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, whose husband was attacked in an act of political violence (that was later mocked by Trump), said she knows “firsthand” it doesn’t have any place in our society.
“As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe,” she said on X. “As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed.”
Sen. Mitt Romney said, “Relieved the former President is safe and doing well. Outrageous and tragic that anyone would make such a heinous and evil act. Grateful for the quick response from Secret Service agents. This is a deeply sad day for America.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote, “Political violence is absolutely unacceptable. I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.”
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also commented, “In this horrible moment, encouraged to hear President Trump’s team indicate that the former president is doing well. An entire nation must speak with one voice today to completely and unequivocally reject all political violence.”
Liz Cheney echoed sentiments expressed by Obama and Sanders. “Reports of the shooting in Pennsylvania are horrifying,” she said. “Violence of any kind has no place in American politics. We are grateful for the reaction of Secret Service and other law enforcement and pray for the former president and all those injured.”
Ted Cruz shared a photo of Trump bleeding from his right ear with his fist raised and wrote, “Extraordinary. God bless President Trump.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene blamed Democrats in a heated message posted to X. She wrote, “Democrats wanted this to happen. They’ve wanted Trump gone for years and they’re prepared to do anything to make that happen. Just this congress, Reps. Troy A. Carter Sr., Barbara Lee, Frederica Wilson, Yvette D. Clarke, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jasmine Crockett, Joyce Beatty, and Steve Cohen all cosponsored legislation to TERMINATE Trump’s Secret Service protection.”
“Why would they want that? You know the reason. Others may have been killed —innocent people that were there supporting President Trump and all they wanted was to Make America Great Again and they may have been murdered for it. Thank GOD Secret Service was there for Trump and everyone else at today’s rally.”
Speaker of House Mike Johnson wrote, “Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all the attendees of the campaign rally today in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the law enforcement who responded at the scene.”
“I have been briefed by law enforcement and am continuing to monitor the developments. This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”
