President Joe Biden addressed the nation Sunday night about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, urging Americans to “step back and think” during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“The shooting that took place yesterday at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania calls for all of us to take a step back and reflect on where we are and how we go forward from here,” Biden said. “Thankfully, former President Trump is not seriously injured. I spoke with him last night. I’m thankful that he’s in good health.”
“We also offer our deepest condolences to the family of the victim who fell,” Biden added. “Corey was a husband, a father, a volunteer firefighter and a hero who protected his family from bullets. We should all be praying for his family and all those who were injured.”
Biden also said the motive of the alleged shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, remained unclear.
NOW: President Biden is addressing the nation from the Oval Office following the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
“Even if we disagree, please remember we are not enemies. We are neighbors, friends and colleagues.” pic.twitter.com/s1OOn5nyWM
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) July 15, 2024
“We don’t know his opinions or his affiliations. We don’t know whether he received aid or support or was in contact with anyone else,” Biden said. “Tonight, I want to tell you what we know: A former president has been shot. American citizens have been killed simply for exercising their freedom to support the candidate of their choice. We cannot and must not go down this path in America.”
