Trump ‘assassination attempt’ could spark retaliatory attacks and leaves politics in dangerous spot, ex-Obama aide says
THE alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump could spark retaliatory attacks, a former Barack Obama aide has told The U.S. Sun.
The 45th president was seen with blood running down his face after the shooting at his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening.
Former White House Director of Global Engagement during the Obama administration, Brett Bruen, spoke to The U.S. Sun about how the alleged attack could impact the upcoming election and the state of the country as a whole.
“Both from a sympathetic standpoint, from a symbolic standpoint of strength, it will have benefits for former President Trump,” he explained.
“I think we’ve already seen just in the last hour or so how those associated with the campaign, including Don Jr, have accused the “radical Left” of being behind the attack.
“I think there is a real danger here that we could see retaliatory acts of violence and then the Trump campaign, those in the MAGA movement, really ought to reflect and reassess their rhetoric so as not to incite more attacks or violence.
“This ought to be a pivotal point where Americans recognize that our politics is geared into a really dangerous spot.
“The combustible style of communications that we employ both on the Left and the Right is what unfortunately leads individuals to act out, in some cases, in violent ways.”
Following the apparent shooting, Trump was rushed off the stage and sent to a local hospital, where his team confirmed that he was doing okay.
One member of the audience was killed and the shooter is dead, according to Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger.
He also confirmed that the former president was “grazed by gunfire.”
Just hours after the shooting, Trump issued a statement where he said he felt the bullet ripping through his skin.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote.
“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
“Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
What we know so far:
- A shooter has opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one, critically injuring two others, and wounding the former president.
- Gunfire broke out during the Republican frontrunner’s speech at around 6.15pm EST on Saturday evening.
- The shooter was killed by Secret Service agents.
- The shooter has not been officially identified, but the New York Post has named him as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20.
- President Joe Biden has condemned the shooting as “sick,” and has suspended campaigning for the next two days. He has also shared a phone conversation with Donald Trump.
- President Trump was rushed to hospital Saturday evening but was later released and has left Pennsylvania.
- The FBI has confirmed this was an “assassination attempt,” but said there was no prior threat.
- Trump’s team has confirmed he will be traveling to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention next week.
Trump Rally Security
Donald Trump was reportedly shot at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday, June 13.
Trump’s rally was held at the Butler Farm Grounds, which can hold tens of thousands of people.
There were 8-10 metal detectors at the grounds, according to Former USUN Ambassador Kip Tom.
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 from the Secret Service were stationed in the area to monitor the perimeter.
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 FBI assumed the larger investigation of the shooting, working in tandem with the Secret Service.
Despite the shooting having an obvious impact on the Trump campaign, Brett explained how President Joe Biden’s administration also has to react at this time.
“I think on the Biden campaign side, it’s clear they have to take a step back. They hold off their external communications, pulling down their ads.
“And they too will have to determine how best to proceed in what is a fairly unprecedented political environment in which you have one candidate that has survived an assassination attempt, who will be continuing their campaign and another who is under enormous pressure to drop out.
“Whether or not the effect of this is that Trump ends up moving ahead in the polls and that leads more Democrats to realize that a change is needed at the top of the ticket remains to be seen but it definitely is in the realm of possibility at this point.”
President Biden issued a statement following the shooting, telling Americans that “we must unite as one nation.”
“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,” he said.
Later in the evening, Biden continued to condemn the alleged attack while addressing media from his home in Delaware.
“There is no place in America for this type of violence,” Biden said, while repeatedly calling the shooting “sick.”
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement on social media sending prayers to Trump, his family, and anyone else injured or impacted by the shooting.
“Violence such as this has no place in our nation,” she added. “We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”
The Republican National Committee has confirmed that next weeks convention will “proceed” despite Saturday’s events.
“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,” the RNC said in a statement.
“As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again.”