WASHINGTON — Congressional lawmakers rejected political violence Saturday after a shooting at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Pennsylvania claimed at least one life and forced the former president to leave the scene.
According to the Associated Press, local authorities confirmed that the shooter had been killed.
The shooting at a crowded outdoor rally in Butler, just an hour outside Pittsburgh, came less than 48 hours before the Republican National Convention opens in Milwaukee, Wis. Trump is expected to become the party’s official presidential nominee on Thursday.
Video video footage from the rally shows Trump putting his hand to the right side of his face and ducking behind a podium just after several shots and screams were heard. U.S. Secret Service agents gathered around the former president and chased him off the stage as he reached out to pump his fist into the air toward the crowd.
Trump campaign spokesman Steve Cheung issued a statement shortly thereafter saying the former president was “doing well” and thanked law enforcement.
“Prayer for President Trump”
Members of Congress from both political parties unanimously condemned the violence in a wave of social media posts and official statements.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, posted on social media that he was “praying for President Trump.”
“Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all those who attended today’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania. We are grateful for the law enforcement officers who responded to the scene,” 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 unequivocally and forcefully condemned.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, issued a written statement saying he was “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,” Schumer wrote.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky wrote on social media that “all Americans are grateful that President Trump is apparently doing well following the vile attack on a peaceful rally.”
“Violence has no place in our politics,” McConnell wrote. “We appreciate the quick work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, wrote on social media that his “thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump.”
“I am grateful for the strong response from law enforcement,” Jeffries wrote. “America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”
Members of Congress react with horror
Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania issued a statement saying he is monitoring the situation unfolding in western Pennsylvania.
“(A)nd I have reached out to the state police for support. Political violence is never acceptable and I hope former President Trump and all those involved are safe. Everyone in Butler should listen to law enforcement,” Casey wrote on social media.
Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, whose wife, Gabby Giffords, a former congresswoman, was shot in 2011 at an event, wrote that they were both “terrified.”
“Gabby and I are horrified 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.”
Giffords wrote on her social media channel that “Political violence is horrifying. I know.”
“My heart goes out to former President Trump and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence. Political violence is un-American and never acceptable — ever,” Giffords wrote.
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, wrote on social media that “political violence is contemptible and has no place in America.”
“I am grateful that former President Trump is safe and to the law enforcement officers who risked their lives to take action,” Peters wrote. “I will continue to closely monitor this developing situation.”
Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins wrote on social media that she was “very pleased that President Trump seems to be okay; however, this violence is absolutely horrific.”
“Thank God for the Secret Service and the first responders who quickly removed President Trump from a dangerous situation,” Collins wrote.
Fast response
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat, praised the quick response by Secret Service agents and other authorities at the scene.
“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Donald Trump and his family after learning of the shooting at his campaign rally today,” DeLauro, from Connecticut, wrote on social media.
Republican Mike Turner of Ohio, the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued a statement saying, “As the situation in Butler, Pennsylvania, unfolds, I call on everyone to join me in prayer for President Trump and our country.”
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik of New York wrote on social media that “AMERICA IS PRAYING! GOD BLESS PRESIDENT TRUMP! #SAVEAMERICA,,
“I am praying for President Trump. I hope everyone joins me,” wrote former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on X.
“Jacquie and I are praying for President Trump and everyone at tonight’s rally. President Trump is a proven fighter who has overcome adversity time and again. He will emerge from this terrifying situation stronger than ever,” Minnesota Republican Whip Tom Emmer wrote.
Former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, an outspoken Trump critic and ranking member of the House of Representatives committee that investigated 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 are praying for the former president and all those injured,” Cheney wrote on social media.
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement on social media saying he was “shocked by the blatant attack on President Trump.”
“We pray for his safety and speedy recovery,” said the leader of the US ally.
