After former President Donald Trump was shot on stage at a campaign rally, political officials across the country have come out to not only voice their support for his recovery but to condemn the violent act.
The shots grazed Trump's right ear, causing blood to drip down the side of his face. He has since posted on social media that he is doing OK. One spectator at the rally was shot and killed, while another two people were seriously injured. The reported gunman, Thomas Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents.
What was President Joe Biden's response to Donald Trump being shot?
President Joe Biden said there is no place for this kind of violence in America while addressing the media Saturday night after the shooting. He referred to the incident as "sick." Biden called for unifying the country while thanking the Secret Service.
"The idea, the idea, that there's political violence or violence like this in America is just unheard of," Biden said. "It is just not appropriate. Everybody, everybody, must condemn it."
Biden is scheduled to deliver additional remarks around 1:30 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.
What was former President Donald Trump's response to shooting?
Trump took to social media early Sunday morning, thanking everyone for their thoughts and prayers following the shooting. He said it was "God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening."
The bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear, he said in a post on Truth Social.
"I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin," Trump said via Truth Social on Saturday. "Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
Trump also said he still plans to speak at the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin this week.
"We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families," Trump said on Truth. "We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win."
What was Melania Trump's reaction to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump?
Former First Lady Melania Trump released a statement Sunday to express her thoughts and concerns regarding the attempted assassination of her husband.
“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron's life, were on the brink of devastating change,” she wrote in a statement.
More:Melania Trump issues powerful statement after assassination attempt
Melania Trump thanked the Secret Service agents for protecting the former president, while offering sympathy to the victims who were shot at the rally. The former first lady described the reported assassin as a monster.
“A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion — his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration,” Melania Trump wrote. “The core facets of my husband's life — his human side — were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times.”
What did Speaker of the House Mike Johnson say about the shooting?
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said he sends his thought and prayers to Trump's family after the shooting occurred Saturday.
"This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned," Johnson said via X, formerly known as Twitter.
Johnson also announced that the Republican-controlled House will conduct a full investigation of the assassination attempt. A hearing for Secret Service members is expected to begin July 22.
More:Who is the director of the Secret Service? Kimberly Cheatle has led agency since 2022
What did Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer say about the shooting?
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was horrified by what happened to Trump.
"I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe," Schumer said on social media. "Political violence has no place in our country."
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her atkkealey@registermedia.comor follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
