Trump assassination attempt: Shots were fired at former US President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday (July 13), after which the Republican presidential candidate was seen injured with his ear covered in blood. He was immediately pulled away by the Secret Service agents, taking him to safety. Trump was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. It’s still not clear yet whether Trump was struck by gunfire or was injured, as he was pulled to the ground by agents.
His campaign said that he was “fine”.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.
How did the attack take place?
The former President and presumptive Republican nominee was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens on Monday when bangs started ringing through the crowd.
As Trump spoke at his rally, a popping sound was heard, and he put his right hand up to his right ear. People in the stands behind him appeared in shock as the events unfolded in front of them. As the first sound came, Trump went "Oh", and grabbed his ear as two more popping sound was heard. He was given an immediate cover by his Secret Service personnel. More shots were heard.
Someone could be heard saying near the microphone at Trump’s lectern, “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” as agents tackled the former president. They piled atop him to shield him with their bodies, as is their training protocol, as other agents took up positions on stage to search for the threat.
Shooter killed by Secret Service
The law enforcement officials said that a shooter was then killed by the Secret Service. The attack was the first such attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
It comes amid a deeply polarised political atmosphere, just four months from the presidential elections and days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention.
According to a local prosecutor, the suspected gunman was shot down and at least one attendee of the rally was dead.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
President Joe Biden reacts, says he hopes to speak to Trump soon
President Joe Biden on Saturday said that "everybody must condemn" the suspected assassination attempt on former US President, and added that he hoped to speak to him soon.
He addressed the nation about two hours after the shooting and said that he was relieved that Trump was reportedly "doing well". He said that he was unable to reach Trump before his address, however, vowed to update the people later in the day about whether they spoke. He noted that he has "an opinion, but not any facts" as of now, and will speak about additional details about the investigation later.
“We cannot allow this to be happening,” Biden said. “The idea that there’s violence in America like this is just unheard of.”
He added that he was waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an attempted assassination on the former president.
The President delivered remarks from the White House’s emergency briefing room in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, which is set up whenever the president travels to allow him to deliver remarks to the country in a matter of minutes. Biden received an “initial briefing” from officials after he left church, minutes after the shooting. He then convened security officials for a more in-depth update from Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.
Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement that she was also briefed, adding that she and her husband “are relieved” that Trump was not seriously inured.
“We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” she said.
PM Modi condemns attack on Donald Trump
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 14) condemned the attack on Trump at an election rally in Pennsylvania and wished him speedy recovery. He expressed "deep concerns" over the attack and said that violence has no place in democracies.
"Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people," PM Modi posted on X.
FBI declares attack as "assassination attempt"
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which is leading the investigation into the shooting incident at Trump’s rally in which he suffered injuries, has called the attack an “attempted assassination”, CNN reported. “This evening, we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt against our former President Donald Trump. It’s still an active crime scene,” Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, was quoted as saying at a news conference in Butler, Pennsylvania.
(With inputs from agencies)
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