After the shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, leaders from across the political spectrum were quick to issue statements condemning the act of violence, expressing gratitude to the Secret Service and wishing the former president a speedy recovery.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he had been briefed and was “grateful to hear” that Trump is “safe and doing well.” The Biden campaign said in a statement that it was working to suspend its political ads.

At a news conference shortly afterward, the president said:

It’s sick … We cannot condone this. … The bottom line is the Trump rally … should have been able to be conducted peacefully and without any problem. … Everybody must condemn it.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, called the attack “outrageous and tragic.” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., posted: “Pray for President Trump. And for justice,” a sentiment that was similar to one expressed by Sen. Mike Lee of Utah.

Sen. JD Vance, an Ohio Republican who is among the final four candidates to be Trump’s running mate, was quick to point the finger at Democrats, writing: “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 bre stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”

Without waiting for further information about the incident, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., concluded that it must be liberals’ fault: “This isn’t some unfortunate incident. This was an assassination attempt by a madman inspired by the rhetoric of the radical left.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., likewise put the blame on Democrats, saying, “The Democrats and the media are to blame for every drop of blood spilled today. For years and years, they’ve demonized him [Trump] and his supporters.” A fellow Georgia Republican, Rep. Mike Collins, went even further, suggesting without evidence that the president was somehow criminally responsible: “The Republican District Attorney in Butler County, PA, should immediately file charges against Joseph R. Biden for inciting an assassination.”

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told NBC News, in reference to Biden’s speech Friday night in Detroit, that “after last night’s speech by Biden, I have zero ability to control myself right now.” Gingrich said that Biden “spent 15 minutes describing Trump in language that can only be called incitement. … If you’re a good, loyal active nutcase, you just heard the president of the United States tell you what you’re about to do is acceptable.”

Trump’s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was defiant, posting a photo of his father being escorted off the stage with his fist in the air. He wrote that his father will “never stop fighting to Save America.”

Democrats across the board were quick to denounce political violence, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama.

The foundations of former Presidents Ronald Reagan — the target of an assassination attempt in 1981 — and Jimmy Carter cautioned against a rush to judgment and called for civility.

Former Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona, herself a victim of political violence, wrote on X: “Political violence is terrifying. I know. I’m holding former president Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable—never.”

A number of House Democrats who have been vocal in their opposition to Trump also issued statements repudiating political violence, including Reps. Ted Lieu and Adam Schiff of California, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

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Trump rushed offstage at Pennsylvania rally by Secret Service after loud popping noises heard July 13, 2024 / 02:00

Congressional Republican leaders, at least, were measured in their responses. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell thanked the Secret Service and said that “violence has no place in our politics.” House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed that sentiment: “This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, announced on X that he intends to hold a hearing with the director of the Secret Service.