California leaders condemned an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“Violence has NO place in our democracy,” tweeted Governor Gavin Newsom. “My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone affected by today’s protest.”
While speaking at a rally outside Pittsburgh, Trump grabbed the side of his head and crouched down after hearing loud bangs that sounded like gunshots. Secret Service agents rushed to surround Trump, who appeared to be bleeding from his ear as he raised his fist and was rushed off the stage.
In a statement, the Secret Service said a shooter had fired from “an elevated position outside the rally site” before being shot dead by officers. One bystander was killed and two were “seriously injured” in the shooting, the statement said.
In his own statement, Trump said he had been “shot with a bullet that went through the top of my right ear.”
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)
Trump also thanked the Secret Service and extended his condolences to rally attendees who were killed or injured.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) wrote on the social media platform X that such violence “has no place in our society.”
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is covered by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
(Evan Vucci/Associated Press)
“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,” Pelosi wrote.
Her husband was attacked in their San Francisco home in 2022. Pelosi wrote that she hoped those attending the rally were safe.
Both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also condemned the violence.
“It's sick. It's sick,” Biden said of the shooting during a news conference.
President Joe Biden speaks Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, about news that shots were heard at Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
(Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press)
Harris said she and her husband Doug Emhoff were “relieved” that Trump was not seriously injured.
“We are praying for him, his family and all those who have been hurt and affected by this senseless shooting,” Harris said. “We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, emergency responders and local authorities for their immediate action.”
“This type of violence has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to further violence.”
Senator Alex Padilla wrote that “there is no place in our democracy for political violence” and that “the former president and those attending his rally were in my thoughts.”
“I am grateful for the quick action of law enforcement to protect those present,” he wrote.
Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was appointed by Newsom to fill out the remainder of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s term, wrote that her “thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump and his family, as well as all Americans who were present at the rally. We must not allow political violence to become acceptable in our democracy.”
People hug after Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump was helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)
Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), who is running to fill Butler’s seat as California’s next U.S. senator, also issued a statement.
“Horrified by this apparent assassination attempt,” Schiff wrote.
“There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Absolutely none,” he wrote. “I am grateful for the quick response of law enforcement and the Secret Service. I wish President Trump a speedy recovery.”
Schiff’s Republican opponent in the Senate race, former Dodgers star first baseman Steve Garvey, wrote on X that his “thoughts and prayers are with President Trump for a speedy recovery and with the families of the innocent supporters of the rally who were tragically affected.”
He also praised “the bravery of the members of the Secret Service who courageously protected the former president and all those present.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
