Ohio politicians react to shooting at Trump rally in Pennsylvania

BUTLER, Pa. (WCMH) -- Ohio politicians are reacting to the news that former president Donald Trump was rushed off stage after an apparent shooting during a rally in Butler, Pa. on Saturday.

Among those who quickly weighed in were U.S. Sen. JD Vance (R), who has been rumored to be Trump’s pick for vice president.

“Everyone join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at that rally. I hope everyone is ok,” Vance said.

Vance later said in a statement, "Today is not just some isolated incident. The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination."

Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens Monday when the apparent shots began.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) also released a statement condemning political violence.

“Connie and I are relieved that President Trump is safe, and are praying for the health and safety of all those attending the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania tonight, and for our country," Brown said. "We’re grateful to the law enforcement who responded immediately. Political violence is completely unacceptable and has no place in our democracy.”

Ohio governor Mike DeWine posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, "Fran and I are praying for President Trump, his family, and our country."

President Biden has been briefed on the incident, the White House said Saturday. 

"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."

Former Ohio governor John Kasich posted on X, "What a terrible situation that a former president and potentially the next President of the United States has been shot. It's a horrible development. Let's pray that he has escaped any serious injury."

Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also weighed in on the situation. Obama said on X that him and wife, Michelle, are wishing Trump a quick recovery.

"There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy," Obama said. "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."

Bush released a statement on X and said, "Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response."

Clinton echoed the sentiments of Obama and Bush by condemning the shooting.

"Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process," Clinton said. "Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service."