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Republicans rallied around Donald Trump after the former president was injured in an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening.
Trump was rushed from the rally stage with blood dripping from his ear after gunshots rang out just minutes into his speech, causing chaos in the crowd as attendees screamed and ducked for cover. A spokesman for the campaign quickly reassured the public that Trump was “fine,” adding that Trump “thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.”
Prominent Republicans immediately came forward to offer words of support for Trump and lambasted the violence that shattered a typical rally in rural Pennsylvania and left the nation reeling. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a key Trump ally, said he and his wife were “praying” for the former president.
“Kelly and I are praying for President Trump and all the attendees of the campaign rally today in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the law enforcement who responded at the scene,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I have been briefed by law enforcement and am continuing to monitor the developments. This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who was famously wounded when a supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders opened fire on a congressional baseball game, also shared his support.
“Praying for President Donald Trump,” Scalise said. “There is never any place for political violence.”
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene simply posted the now-iconic image of the former president bleeding and pumping his fist as Secret Service agents surrounded him just after the shooting.
Representative Matt Gaetz, one of the president’s most staunch supporters, put out a defiant statement.
“America is praying for President Trump,” he said. “We will overcome and DEFEAT EVIL! NEVER SURRENDER!”
Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado posted the photo of a defiant Trump as well, writing, “MY PRESIDENT.”
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas condemned the “evil” violence.
“This is horrific & wrong & evil,” he said. “Thank God he appears not to be seriously injured. Heidi & I are lifting President Trump up in prayer right now.”
At least one Republican was quick to point the finger at Joe Biden, claiming in a wild post that the president should be charged.
“Joe Biden sent the orders,” freshman Representative Mike Collins of Georgia posted, without offering a shred of evidence.
The assassination attempt shook the country just days before Trump and other members of the GOP are set to descend on Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, where Trump will formally accept the presidential nomination.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell offered a somber statement, insisting “violence has no place in our politics.”
“Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally,” he said. “Violence has no place in our politics. We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement.”
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed about the situation.
“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden said in a statement. “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
