Biden Calls for Unity After Assassination Attempt on Trump ‘We Must Unite as One Nation’
(AP)
President Joe Biden addressed the nation following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In a live televised speech, Biden revealed he had spoken with Trump, describing their conversation as “short but good.” The President, briefed by the Secret Service shortly after the incident, expressed relief that Trump was safe.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. 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. “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.”
During his address, Biden also paid tribute to Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old victim who was tragically killed. Speaking for the second time since the shooting, the President emphasized, “We must unite as one nation. That is who we are.”
Biden announced a thorough and swift investigation into the incident and urged the public not to make assumptions about the perpetrator’s motives or affiliations. He has also directed the U.S. Secret Service to review all security measures for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, told BBC.
The assassination attempt occurred on Saturday, July 13. Approximately six minutes into his speech, Trump was shot in the ear, prompting Secret Service agents to rush him offstage. Law enforcement officials identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was subsequently shot dead by law enforcement. The FBI described the incident as an “assassination attempt.”
Crooks, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, used an AR-style rifle, which was recovered after he was neutralized. His father, Matthew Crooks, expressed confusion over his son’s actions and has refrained from commenting further until speaking with authorities. Trump was treated at a hospital and released, later flying back to New Jersey with a bandage on his ear. Members of his family have since issued statements expressing shock and horror over the event.
Melania Trump, the former First Lady, extended her condolences to those affected by the violence and praised her husband’s resilience. “To the families of the innocent victims who are now suffering from this heinous act, I humbly offer my sincerest sympathy. Your need to summon your inner strength for such a terrible reason saddens me,” she stated.
She added, “A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald’s passion—his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration. The core facets of my husband’s life—his human side—were buried below the political machine.” As the investigation continues, Biden’s call for unity and a comprehensive security review aims to prevent future incidents and promote national solidarity.
