- Former President Donald Trump was escorted off stage at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
- What sounded like a gunshot could be heard before blood appeared on Trump’s face.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom and other prominent Democratic politicians were quick to condemn the incident.
Leading Democrats were quick to condemn the shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, where the former president was escorted off the stage by Secret Service after what sounded like gunfire was heard.
President Joe Biden issued a statement regarding “the shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania.”
“I’m pleased to hear that he is safe and well, and I am praying for him, his family and all who were at the rally as we await more information,” Biden said in a statement.
“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. This kind of violence has no place in America, and we must come together as a country to condemn it.”
“Political violence has no place in our democracy,” former President Barack Obama said in a statement. “While we still don’t know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump was not seriously injured and should take this opportunity to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in politics. Michelle and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
“Violence has no place in our democracy,” California Gov. Gavin Newson said in a statement on X. “My thoughts are with President Trump and all those affected by today’s rally.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who was the target of a kidnapping plot several years ago, wrote to X: “There is no place for political violence in this country. Absolutely not. It is not the way to resolve differences.”
“I am horrified to hear this news and will continue to monitor the situation closely. I thank law enforcement for their immediate intervention,” Whitmer wrote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Bernie Sanders were also quick to condemn what they called an act of “political violence.”
“Political violence is completely unacceptable,” Sanders wrote on X. “I wish a speedy recovery to Donald Trump and anyone else who may have been affected.”
Honorable House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose husband was attacked in 2022, said, “As someone whose family has been a 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 emerge about this horrific incident,
Members of the Biden administration also condemned the incident.
“In this frightening moment, I’m encouraged that President Trump’s team is indicating that the former president is in good spirits,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on X.
“Today, the entire nation must speak with one voice in total and unequivocal rejection of all political violence.”
Details of Saturday’s incident were unclear, but photos and video footage showed Donald Trump with blood on his face as he was escorted off the stage by security.
“The incident occurred on the evening of July 13th at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania,” U.S. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi wrote on X.
“The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former president is safe,” the statement continued. “The Secret Service is currently investigating and more information will be released as it becomes available.”
In an email to Business Insider, a spokesperson for Trump said, “President Trump thanks the police and emergency responders for their swift action in response to this heinous act. He is safe and is being examined at a local medical facility. More details will be released at a later date.”
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
