‘Cowardly attack’: Former presidents condemn shooting at Trump rally

Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama joined members of both parties in condemning the shooting at President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, which injured Trump and killed one attendee.

Bush said he and former first lady Laura Bush “are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life” and praised Secret Service for their “speedy response” to the shooting.

Obama said in a post on social media platform X that “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.”

“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy,” Obama wrote, adding he and former first lady Michelle Obama were wishing Trump “a quick recovery.”

Clinton said in a post on X that “Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process.”

“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,” he wrote.

President Biden said in a statement that he had received a briefing on the shooting and was “grateful to hear that [Trump is] 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 the 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.”

The president later told reporters he tried to get ahold of Trump and said “everybody must condemn” the shooting.

Political leaders from both parties offered well wishes and prayers for Trump while condemning violence after gunshots rang out shortly into Trump’s speech at his rally in Butler, Pa.

After gunshots started, Trump reached for his head and dropped to the ground as Secret Service agents crowded around him on stage for several seconds.

Moments later, Trump and the agents stood back up, with blood visible on the right side of his face near his ear.

The Secret Service later said Trump was safe and his campaign said he was “fine” and being checked at a local medical facility.

The local district attorney said one attendee was killed and another was injured, while the suspected shooter was dead.

Updated: 8:44 p.m.