Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley on Sunday stressed the need for unity and prayer in the wake of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, saying politics should take a “second place” as the nation reels from the incident.
“I think unity is obviously very important. I think strength is obviously very important. But I think politics take a back seat this morning,” Waltie said on “Fox News Sunday.” “Right now, I think we need to pray for the families that have been affected. I think we need to be thankful that President Trump is alive and that he is actually there,” referring to this week’s Republican National Convention.
Gunfire erupted at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night. Trump said a bullet pierced his ear. The gunman, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks, and one rally attendee were killed. Two other attendees were seriously injured, the US Secret Service said.
Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Pittsburgh, said authorities have not yet determined a motive for the shooting.
The shooting came just days before the Republican National Convention is scheduled to begin in Milwaukee on Monday, where delegates are expected to vote for Trump as the party’s presidential nominee.
Whatley said the RNC was looking forward to Trump’s appearance in Milwaukee, telling “Fox News Sunday” host Shannon Bream, “I think it’s going to be really important for him to come here and deliver a message to America.”
Shortly after the shooting, Trump aides confirmed that the former president still planned to attend the Republican National Convention.
In a statement Sunday, Trump called on Americans to come together and said he looked forward to “speaking to our great nation from Wisconsin this week.”
Whatley joined other countries and world leaders in condemning the political violence.
“There is no place in politics for violence or acts like this in any form. This was a horrific act and it will take time to investigate, but I think right now we all need to pause, pause and reflect on what really matters to us in our political process going forward.”
“Fortunately, we’re here in Milwaukee and the show will go on. I think it’s very important for us to have the Republican Party moving forward,” he added. “We’re going to be strong. We’re going to be resilient. And President Trump is definitely going to be strong and resilient.”
