Joe Biden dodges ‘assassination attempt’ question after shooting at Trump rally & says he ‘has opinion but no facts’
PRESIDENT Biden has condemned as “sick” the suspected shooting of Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday and says he has reached out to him to offer his support.
The President stopped short of confirming Saturday’s shooting as an “assassination attempt” as he addressed the media from his home in Delaware.
“There is no place in America for this type of violence,” he said, adding that the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania was “sick, it’s sick.”
He said that he was relieved Donald Trump is reportedly “doing well,” and said he had reached out to him but hadn’t spoken to him yet.
He added that “everybody must condemn,” the attack on Trump, but stopped short of calling it an assassination attempt.
Asked by a reporter whether he thought it was an attempt to kill the former President, the sitting Commander-in-Chief said: “I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts.”
Vice-President Kamala Harris, who was also in Pennsylvania today for a rally in Philadelphia, has condemned the shooting as well.
She said in a statement she has been briefed on the shooting, and that she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are “relieved that he is not seriously injured.”
Harris said: “We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.
“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.”
Congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Mike Johnson have both been briefed on the events of Saturday evening.
A shooter is dead and two other people are in a critical condition following the shooting at a Trump rally in western Pennsylvania just after 6 pm on Saturday evening.
Chaotic scenes broke out after a volley of pops were heard during Trump’s speech, at which point the former president grabbed his ear before dropping to the ground.
Panicked screaming started in the crowd as those behind Trump in the bleachers ducked down.
The Republican frontrunner was then seen getting up shakily to his feet before raising his fist to his supporters.
Eyewitnesses described a noise like “firecrackers” before seeing a man sat behind the former president dying from a shot to his head.
Donald Trump has issued a statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after he was rushed away from the scene.
Thanking the Secret Service for “their rapid response,” he described the moment he “was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
Adding that he “knew immediately that something was wrong,” after hearing “a whizzing sound,” before he “felt the bullet ripping through the skin.”
He also offered his condolences to the family of the person killed in the shooting, and the family of the person who was badly injured.
Trump’s motorcade was seen driving away from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh just before 9 pm.
Trump Rally Timeline
Donald Trump was reportedly shot at his Pennsylvania rally on Saturday afternoon.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds still waiting for Trump.
6:15pm: Gunshots reportedly fired as Trump delivered remarks.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told CNN that a spectator has been killed and another attendee was rushed to hospital and is in a serious condition.
“The shooter is dead,” Goldinger said.
He added that the shooter was outside the rally grounds, but didn’t provide any additional information about their location.
Pictures shared on social media appear to show the body of the shooter on the roof of a building outside the rally, after being killed by the Secret Service.
“Quite frankly I don’t know how he would have gotten to the location where he was, but he was outside the grounds and I think that’s something that we’re going to have to figure out — how he got there,” he went on.
No information is known about the identity of the shooter or any potential motivations for the attack.
In an updated statement, a Secret Service spokesperson said: “At approximately 6.15 pm, a suspected shooter filed multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.
“US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”
They added that former President Trump “is safe and being evaluated.”
Trump Rally Shooting Reaction
Dozens of politicians and celebrities have offered their support for the former president after he was reportedly grazed by gunfire at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
President Biden held a brief press conference just after 8 pm ET. He said he was hoping to speak to Trump. “Look, there’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick,” the president continued. “We cannot condone this.”
Vice President Harris said she was “relieved” Trump was not seriously injured. “Violence such as this has no place in our nation,” she continued.
Former President Obama: “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.
Donald Trump, Jr shared a photo of his father raising a fist moments after he was shot with the caption: “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America.”
Ohio Senator JD Vance: “Everyone join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at that rally. I hope everyone is ok.”
Florida Senator Marco Rubio: “Praying for President Trump and all those attending the rally in Pennsylvania today.”
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott: “Please join me in praying for President Donald J. Trump and the safety of those at the Trump rally.”
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr: “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.”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”
Trump Rally Security
Donald Trump was reportedly shot at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday, June 13.
There were 8-10 metal detectors at the Butler Farm Grounds, according to Former USUN Ambassador Kip Tom.
The grounds can hold tens of thousands of people.
Tom told CNN that anyone within a certain distance of the president was required to enter through those metal detectors.
Despite being held at an open fairground, the rally was fenced-in, meaning a perimeter was set up.
Counter snipers were stationed in the area to monitor the perimeter and rally events.
In addition to metal detectors for the public, plus local and state police, the Secret Service is assigned to protect the president.
Secret Service agents immediately jumped to cover Trump after he appeared to be shot.
“We have practiced for these situations thousands of times,” Jonathan Wackrow, former agent, told CNN.
CNN also reported that the Secret Service shot and killed the reported shooter.
The Secret Service has the lead on the investigation at this time.
The FBI will assume the larger investigation, working in tandem with the Secret Service.