Former President Donald Trump survived what appeared to be an assassination attempt in a horrific incident in Butler, Pennsylvania late Saturday. Gunshots rang out while he was speaking at a rally, causing him to fall to the ground and be carried off the stage by Secret Service agents. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, was bleeding from the right side of his face but, surrounded by Secret Service agents, he stood up and raised his fist to the crowd to show he was OK. A Secret Service spokesman released a statement saying, “The former president is safe.”
“The Secret Service is currently investigating and further information will be released as it becomes available,” the statement said.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi released the following statement regarding the security incident at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on July 13:
to follow translator Please check back for additional updates as they are released. https://t.co/EuaCgRFMM4
— US Secret Service (@SecretService) July 13, 2024
Police officials said the shooting was being investigated as an assassination attempt — the first such attempt on a president or former president since President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981 but survived an assassination attempt by John Hinckley Jr. At least two people have died, including the shooter at the Trump rally.
The first gunshots rang out as Trump spoke and looked to the right of the stage. Trump was holding the right side of his face as a Secret Service agent ran over and told him to “get down, get down.” A few seconds later, a rifle-wielding police officer appeared onstage. A Secret Service agent could be heard on a still-hot microphone saying “the shooter’s down,” indicating that Trump could be safely escorted to his motorcade. Trump pumped his fist repeatedly at the cheering crowd as agents escorted him to his car.
His spokesman issued a statement saying, “President Trump thanks the law enforcement and emergency responders who acted swiftly in response to this heinous act. He is in good health and is being examined at a local medical facility. More details will be released at a later date.”
President Biden statement “I’m grateful to hear he’s safe and well,” he said.
“As we await more information, we are praying for him, his family and all those who were at the rally,” Biden said. “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for evacuating him to safety. This kind of violence has no place in America, and we must come together as one nation to condemn it.”
Former President George W. Bush statement“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following this cowardly attack, and we commend the Secret Service for their swift response.”
Christian leaders urged the public to pray: “Let us all pray for President Trump’s full recovery.” Gregg Rolie Said“God protected him today. Let us also pray for the future of our country.”
“Now is the time to unite against violence and pray for @realDonaldTrump and the victims of this assassination attempt,” said J.D. Greer, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and a North Carolina pastor. Said“No matter what your political stance is, this is not the right way to do things.”
Jim DalyChairman, Focus on the Family, request He offered prayers for President Trump and called on Americans of all ideological views, Republicans and Democrats alike, to work toward greater civility in our public squares.
“When we disagree on issues of public policy, we should and must strengthen our ability as a nation to rely on this common humanity,” Daly said. “Today’s events should strengthen our resolve to do just that going forward.”
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Anna Moneymaker / Staff
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
