'We are appalled and sickened': Central Mass. legislators respond to Trump shooting

Central Massachusetts lawmakers are joining others across the state and nation in expressing shock and concern over the assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump Saturday in Pennsylvania.

“Shocking, senseless, appalling — so many emotions come to mind,” state Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, told the Telegram & Gazette Sunday.

“The violence that unfolded today at a political rally should never, ever happen in America,” state Rep. Peter J. Durant, R-Spencer, said in a news release Saturday night.

Spencer, the assistant minority leader for House Republicans, said while differences of opinions exist, “political candidates should be able to gather with their supporters without fear that those who disagree with them will resort to actions like we saw (Saturday).”

State Rep. Joseph D. McKenna, R-Webster, said in a statement that the shooting highlights the “bizarre and scary world” in which we are living.

“There is no place for violence in our politics and this attempt on former President Trump's life is horrifying,” McKenna wrote. “As an American, I am grateful for Trump's well-being and pray for his recovery, as well as for all attendees impacted.”

Both representatives said they are praying for the one innocent person confirmed dead and their family, and thankful to the Secret Service and law enforcement for acting quickly to prevent further loss of life.

“I can't imagine fearing to be in a public setting or to show support for a political candidate for fear of losing your life — that simply is not American,” McKenna wrote. “I am sad for the state of American politics, but am hopeful that this tragedy will remind people that we are part of one country that needs to come together to heal and unify, not be divided.”

Fattman, in a phone interview with the T&G Sunday, agreed.

“We all have to do our very best to take the temperature down and treat each other with respect,” he said.

Fattman was in a pool with his kids when a friend asked if he had "heard the news." He said his first thought was Trump had announced a running mate; when his friend replied Trump had been shot, he said, he didn’t believe it.

“I was stunned,” he said, adding that such political turmoil is usually associated with less stable countries.

Fattman noted the video seems to suggest that if Trump’s head had just been turned a little differently, he would be dead and the situation the country is facing much darker.

Fattman said he hopes people take a moment to reflect on what happened and to focus on the importance of uniting to prevent future political violence.

Fattman said a personal reminder of the stakes came for him Saturday night, when one of his children came up to him and asked, “Daddy, are you safe when you speak at events?”

Fattman said the message sent yesterday, “reverberates across this country, to all different ages and it’s very scary.”

Asked how Americans should go about deescalating the rancorous environment, Fattman called that the "million-dollar question.

“There’s a lot of hyperbole in our politics and it’s got to go,” he said. “That’s how I feel.”

Fattman said he will be praying for the family that lost a loved one in the shooting, as well as those seriously injured, and urged people to pray for the nation rather than spread division.

“Pray for the country — that the relative peace we’ve had domestically for a long time continues,” he said.

The Republican minority leaders in the House and Senate, Rep. Bradley H. Jones Jr. of North Reading and Sen. Bruce E. Tarr of Gloucester, also offered prayers for the innocent life lost and thanked law enforcement in a joint statement Saturday night.

“We are appalled and sickened by the shooting that took place at former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania today and relieved he is safe,” they wrote. “We condemn this senseless act of violence which has no place in our political discourse or our democracy.”

The men added they are “calling for unity in the face of this violent attack, which threatens our democracy and the foundational principle of free speech.”

The Massachusetts Republican Party, in a statement Saturday, emphasized the importance of unity, saying Americans “must not become so entrenched in division that we forget we are all brothers and sisters under the American flag.

“Whether Democrat or Republican, despite our differences, we all desire peace and prosperity for our nation,” the GOP wrote. “Political violence is intolerable, and we must unify as a nation to condemn this horrible incident.”

Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Ashland, in a statement Saturday night, wrote: “I’m praying for our country today. My own family sought refuge in the United States to escape political violence.

“There is no place for that type of violence in America. We must come together to condemn it, to see the humanity in each other, and to remember that we are all Americans who can disagree in our political discourse without wishing harm on each other.”

U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, in a post to X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the shooting Saturday, wrote: "There is no place for violence in our country or in our politics, against any political leader or political party. It is always unacceptable and wrong. Praying that everyone is okay."

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, wrote on Facebook Saturday night that "all violence is unacceptable and is to be condemned, including political violence.

"I’m relieved to hear that Donald Trump is safe. I’m thinking of him and his family, and the individuals at the rally who were also injured, and their families."

As of 11 a.m. Sunday, most members of Worcester's legislative delegation, all of whom are Democrats, had yet to post about the shooting on social media.

State Rep. David LeBoeuf, D-Worcester, wrote in a Facebook post: “Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. Wishing all those injured, including the former president, a speedy recovery and healing for the families of the victims.”

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Central Mass. legislators respond to Trump shooting Saturday