President Joe Biden speaks out after the shooting at a Trump rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said in a statement. ‘I’m grateful to hear he’s doing well. I pray for him and his family and for everyone who was at the meeting as we await further information.”
Biden continued, “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for keeping him safe. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Speaking to reporters in Delaware, Biden said he had tried to reach out to Trump. Trump was treated and Biden said he would try to talk to him later in the evening.
“There is no place in America for this kind of violence — it’s sick, it’s sick,” Biden said. “The bottom line is that the Trump rally is a gathering that could have taken place peacefully without any problem. The idea – the idea – that there is political violence or violence like that in America is just unheard of, it’s not appropriate. Everyone – everyone – must condemn it. Everyone.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a statement condemning the attack.
“We are praying for him, his family and all those injured and affected by this senseless shooting,” she said. “This kind of violence has no place in our country. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure it does not lead to further violence.”
After gunshots were heard at the rally, Secret Service agents kept an eye on Trump, who appeared to have blood on his face, as they headed toward his motorcade.
Anthony Guglielmi, chief communications officer for the U.S. Secret Service, posted a statement X/Twitter: “An incident occurred on the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has taken protective measures and the former president is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released as it becomes available.”
The gunman is dead, the Butler County district attorney told police Associated pressand a rally attendee was killed at the Trump event in Pennsylvania.
Trump spokesman Steven Cheung added in a separate statement that the former president is “fine” and “being evaluated at a local medical facility.”
UPDATE: The White House confirmed that President Biden spoke with former President Trump this evening. The president also spoke with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy.
“Tonight the President returns to Washington DC. He will receive an updated briefing from homeland security and law enforcement officials at the White House tomorrow morning.”
