Democratic congressional leaders are condemning political violence after reports of gunfire at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump and I thank our law enforcement agencies for their decisive response. We are a democracy. Political violence of any kind cannot be tolerated,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said on X.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York wrote, “I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country.”
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were also briefed on developments in the case.
Trump returns to Pennsylvania for pre-convention rally in battleground state
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Trump spoke to a crowd in Butler, Pennsylvania, days before he will be nominated as the Republican Party’s nominee for the 2024 presidential election at the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin.
Witnesses said that after multiple gunshots were heard at the rally, Trump grabbed his neck and hid behind the podium before being surrounded by Secret Service agents, who then escorted him off the stage in a defiant first-round gunfire.
The Secret Service said Trump was safe.
“Political violence is unacceptable and unAmerican. We are grateful the former president is safe and our thoughts are with him and all who attended the rally,” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) said.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said, “As someone whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As more details about this horrific attack become clear, let us pray that all who attended today’s rally by the former president are found unharmed.”
The Trump-endorsed Republican platform’s soft language on abortion has irked some social conservatives.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke out shortly after the report was released. (Getty Images)
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), one of Trump’s most vocal critics in Congress, also publicly condemned the reported incident.
“I am horrified by this assassination attempt. Political violence has no place in our democracy. Absolutely not. I appreciate the swift response of the police and Secret Service. I wish President Trump a speedy recovery,” Schiff wrote to X.
Several prominent Democratic governors have also spoken out in condemning the reported violence.
Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at a campaign event, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said he had been informed of the incident and in a statement said, “We have zero tolerance for violence targeted at any political party or political leader. It has no place in Pennsylvania or in the United States.”
“Violence has no place in our politics or communities. I appreciate the swift response of law enforcement today and hope that former President Trump is not seriously injured,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper wrote.
