WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden led the condemnation after his election rival Donald Trump was injured in a shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday that reportedly also killed at least one bystander.
Political leaders from both parties decried the violence minutes after the Republican candidate was rushed offstage by the Secret Service, blood streaming down his face.
“I'm glad to hear he's safe and well. I'm praying for him and his family and everyone who was at the rally as we await more information,” Biden said in a statement shortly after the incident.
“Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for bringing him to safety. There is no place for this type of violence in America. We must come together as one nation to condemn it.”
His former boss, Barack Obama, echoed his words in a statement on X, saying there was “absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.”
“While we still don't know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump was not seriously injured and use this moment to renew our commitment to civility and respect in our politics,” the Democrat said.
Former President George W. Bush condemned the “cowardly” attack.
“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 swift response,” she said in a statement.
“I am horrified by what happened at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country,” US Senate Majority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer wrote in X.
Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell also wrote on X: “Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be doing well after a despicable attack on a peaceful protest. Violence has no place in our politics.”
“As someone whose family has been victims of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society,” wrote former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose husband was attacked in a home invasion in 2022, also on X.
“I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrific incident, let us pray that everyone who attended the former President's rally today is unharmed,” he continued.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk said Saturday he “fully” supports Trump following the violence at the rally.
“I fully support President Trump and look forward to his speedy recovery,” Musk wrote on X, while sharing a video of Trump pumping his fist as he was escorted away by Secret Service officials.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said political violence is “never acceptable” following Saturday's shooting of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I am sickened by the shooting of former President Trump. It cannot be overstated: political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those who were at the event, and all Americans,” Trudeau said on social media platform X.
