WASHINGTON – Members of Congress rejected political violence on Saturday after a shooting at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania killed at least one rallygoer and forced the Secret Service to hastily escort the former president off the stage.
According to the Associated Press, local authorities confirmed the shooter’s death.
The Shooting at a crowded outdoor rally in Butler, just an hour outside of Pittsburgh, occurred less than 48 hours before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Trump is expected to become the party’s official presidential nominee on Thursday.
Video Footage of the rally shows Trump putting his hand to the right side of his face and ducking behind the podium shortly after several gunshots and screams were heard. U.S. Secret Service agents crowded around the former president and hustled him off the stage as he raised his fist in the air toward the crowd.
Shortly thereafter, Trump campaign spokesman Steve Cheung said the former president was “doing well” and thanked law enforcement.
“Pray for President Trump”
In a wave of social media posts and official statements, members of Congress from both parties unanimously condemned the violence.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana posted on social media that he was “praying for President Trump.”
“Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and everyone at the campaign rally in Pennsylvania today, and we send our thanks to the police officers who were there,” Johnson wrote.
“I have been briefed by law enforcement and continue to monitor developments,” Johnson added. “This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and firmly condemned.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, released a written statement saying he was “appalled by the events at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe.”
“Political violence has no place in our country,” Schumer wrote.
Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky wrote on social media: “All Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be doing well after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally.”
“Violence has no place in our politics,” McConnell wrote. “We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies.”
Democrat and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote on social media that his “thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump.”
“I am grateful for the decisive response from law enforcement,” Jeffries wrote. “America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”
Congressmen react with horror
Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania said in a statement that he was monitoring the situation in Western Pennsylvania.
“And I have requested assistance from state police. Political violence is never acceptable and I hope former President Trump and all participants are safe. Everyone in Butler should listen to law enforcement,” Casey wrote on social media.
Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, whose wife Gabby Giffords, a former congresswoman, was shot at an event in 2011, wrote that they were both “horrified.”
“Gabby and I are appalled by the incident in Pennsylvania,” Kelly wrote. “No one should ever have to experience political violence – we know that firsthand. Our thoughts are with former President Trump, his family and everyone involved.”
Giffords wrote on her own social media feed: “Political violence is terrifying. I know.”
“I hold former President Trump and all those affected by today’s inexcusable act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and never acceptable – ever,” Giffords wrote.
Michigan State Senator Gary Peters, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, wrote on social media: “Political violence is abhorrent and there is no place for it in America.”
“I am grateful that former President Trump is safe and to the law enforcement officers who risked their lives to act,” Peters wrote. “I will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation.”
Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins wrote on social media that she was “very relieved that President Trump appears to be OK; however, this violence is absolutely horrific.”
“Thank God for the Secret Service and first responders who quickly got President Trump out of harm’s way,” Collins wrote.
Quick response
Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut praised the quick response of Secret Service agents and other agencies on the scene.
“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Donald Trump and his family after hearing news of a shooting at his campaign rally today,” DeLauro, of Connecticut, posted on social media.
Republican Mike Turner of Ohio, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued a statement saying: “As the situation in Butler, Pennsylvania, continues to unfold, I urge everyone to join me in praying for President Trump and our country.”
Elise Stefanik, Republican leader in the House of Representatives from New York, wrote on social media: “AMERICA PRAYS! GOD BLESS PRESIDENT TRUMP!” #SAVETAMERICA”,
“I am praying for President Trump. I hope everyone will join me,” former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy wrote on X.
“Jacquie and I are praying for President Trump and everyone at today’s rally. President Trump is a proven fighter who has overcome adversity time and time again. He will emerge from this terrible situation stronger than ever,” wrote Tom Emmer, Republican Whip in the House of Representatives from Minnesota.
Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, an outspoken critic of Trump and ranking member of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, said news of the shooting was “horrifying.”
“Violence of any kind has no place in American politics. We are grateful for the response of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies and pray for the former President and all those injured,” Cheney wrote on social media.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on social media saying he was “shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump.”
“We pray for his safety and speedy recovery,” said the head of state of the US ally.
