Democrats condemn ‘political violence’ at Trump rally and send prayers to ex-president after assassination attempt

Senior Democrats both past and present have sent their thoughts and prayers to Donald Trump after the attempted assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday night.

Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama were among those denouncing “political violence” after 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at the rally, grazing Trump with a bullet just minutes into his speech.

Trump dropped behind the podium and clutched his bloody head before being swarmed by Secret Service and escorted off the stage. Crooks was killed by Secret Service just after the attack, which left a spectator dead and two others injured.

Pennsylvania Democratic Senator Bob Casey said that violence was “never acceptable” and urged those on the ground at the rally to listen to law enforcement.

“I am monitoring the situation at President Trump’s rally in Butler and I’ve reached out to the State Police to offer support,” he wrote on X. “Political violence is never acceptable and I am hoping former president Trump & all attendees are safe. Everyone in Butler should listen to law enforcement.”

Vice President Kamala Harris quickly released a statement that she — along with President Joe Biden — had been briefed on the shooting, describing the incident as an “abhorrent act.”

“Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured,” she said.

“We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action.

“Violence such as this 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 more violence.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X: “I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country.”

House Minority leader Jeffries echoed Schumer’s sentiments, writing: “My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response,” he wrote. “America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”

Obama said that the shocking incident should be a moment for people to “recommit ourselves to civility” and wished the former president a “quick recovery.”

“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.

“Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”

Pelosi said she knows firsthand the horrors of political violence after her husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked with a hammer at their San Francisco home just days before the 2022 midterm elections.

“As one 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,” she wrote. “As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a well-known face in the Democratic party, wrote: “Violence has NO place in our democracy. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted at the rally today.”

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called it a “horrible moment.”

“An entire nation must speak with one voice today to completely and unequivocally reject all political violence,” he said.

“Political violence is absolutely unacceptable,” added Senator Bernie Sanders. “I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.”

Meanwhile, Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator for Connecticut, wrote: “There is no room in America for political violence. We should all condemn what happened today and I am hoping for the health of the former president and everyone else at the rally.”

As well as Democrats, Trump’s other political rival Robert F Kennedy Jr — who is running for president as an independent candidate — also called for US citizens to “renounce all violence.”

“Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family,” he wrote.

Kennedy’s father, the US attorney general and senator Robert F Kennedy was assasinated in June 1968, when he was running for the Democratic presidential nomination.

His uncle, former president John F Kennedy, was also assassinated in 1963.