‘No place for this kind of violence in America’: Biden, Obama condemn shooting at Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania

I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.

I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.

Jill and I are grateful to the Secret…

— President Biden (@POTUS) July 13, 2024

Trump on social media has said that the bullet “pierced the upper part of my right ear,” resulting in “much bleeding.” He was hurried off the stage by Secret Service personnel, and taken to a medical centre. The unidentified gunman is reported to be dead, while another attendee was killed during the incident.

Vice President Kamala Harris also denounced the “abhorrent” attack, saying “we must all do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.” She also expressed gratitude and praised the the swift action by the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities.

World leaders condemn attack

Expressing deep concern over the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said his thoughts were with Trump, adding the shooting marked a ‘tragedy for our democracies’.
In a post on X, he wrote, “I send him my wishes for a speedy recovery. A spectator has died, several are injured… France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.”

Meanwhile, China Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that China is concerned about the attack and President Xi Jinping has already extended his regards to Trump.

Other notable officials from the US, including former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama offered support to Trump and condemned the attack.

Obama said, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”

There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.…

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 13, 2024

“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response,” wrote George W. Bush on X.

Republicans target Biden

Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr said he had spoken to his father over phone, saying he was in “great spirits”. “He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him,” Trump Jr. said in a statement.

Meanwhile, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement: “As one 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.”

In 2022, Pelosi’s husband was attacked with a hammer by a man who broke into their home.

Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, criticised the violence in his home state, saying “I am appalled and condemn in the strongest terms this violence in Butler.”

“I extend my condolences to those injured and wish a speedy and full recovery for Mr. Trump,” he said in a post on X.

J D Vance, a Republican senator in Ohio, targetted Biden saying, “Today is not just some isolated incident. The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”

Similarly, Georgia Representative in the US Congress, Marjorie Taylor Greene, said, “Joe Biden told donors it’s “time to put Trump in a bull’s eye,” and that is EXACTLY what happened.”

“House Democrats, led by Bennie Thompson, introduced a bill to strip USSS protection from President Trump. The weaponized DOJ has done everything they can to make sure President Trump spends the rest of his life in PRISON, while sending non-violent J6ers to jail for years. They want President Trump and his supporters dead,” she wrote in a post on X.