Republican and Democratic politicians in the US have reacted with shock and anger to the alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
DEMOCRATIC US PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
“I have been informed of the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I am grateful to hear that he is OK and safe. I am praying for him and his family and everyone who was at the rally as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There is no place for this type of violence in America. We must unite as a nation to condemn it.”
CHUCK SCHUMER, THE MAJORITY LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATIC US SENATE
“I am appalled by the events at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. There is no place for political violence in our country.”
REPUBLICAN SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON
“Kelly and I pray for President Trump and all those attending the campaign rally in Pennsylvania today and thank the law enforcement officers who were on the scene. I have been briefed by law enforcement officers and continue to monitor developments. This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and decisively condemned.”
REPUBLICAN MINORITY LEADER IN THE US SENATE MITCH MCCONNELL
“Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be OK after a heinous attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics. We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies.”
Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader in the US House of Representatives
“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am grateful for the decisive response of law enforcement. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”
DEMOCRATIC US REPRESENTATIVE AND FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NANCY PELOSI
“As someone whose family has been a victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrific incident, let us pray that all who attended the former President’s rally today remain unharmed.”
REPUBLICAN, FORMER US PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe after the cowardly attempt on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their quick response.”
DEMOCRATIC FORMER US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. While we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump was not seriously injured and use this moment to recommit ourselves to decency and respect in our politics. Michelle and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE
“The Democrats wanted this to happen. They have wanted to get rid of Trump for years and are willing to do anything to make that happen.”
Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, a Democrat who was shot in 2011 and later founded a gun control group
“Political violence is terrifying. I know it. I hold former President Trump and all those affected by today’s inexcusable act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and never acceptable – ever.”
No. 2 in the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican Steve Scalise, who was shot in an act of political violence in 2017
“For weeks, Democratic leaders have been stoking the ridiculous hysteria that a re-election of Donald Trump would mean the end of democracy in America. We have clearly seen in the past how left-wing crazies responded with violent rhetoric. This inflammatory rhetoric must stop.”