US President Joe Biden condemned the violent attack on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, stating, “There is no place in America for this kind of violence.” Speaking from Delaware, Biden described the attack as “sick” and stressed the need for national unity to prevent such incidents.
“It’s sick; it’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” Biden said. “We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this; we cannot condone this.”
Biden also mentioned that he attempted to contact Trump, noting that the former president is with his doctors and appears to be doing well. “I’ve been thoroughly briefed by all the agencies in the federal government as to the situation based on what we know now. I have tried to get hold of Donald; he’s with his doctors and doing well. I plan on talking to them shortly; I hope when I get back to the telephone,” he added.
When asked if the attack was an assassination attempt, Biden responded, “I don’t know enough. I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts, so I want to make sure we have all the facts before I make any more comments.”
The shooting at Trump’s rally in Butler is being investigated as a possible assassination attempt, CNN reported, citing law enforcement officials. Biden was attending Mass at St. Edmund’s Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, when the shooting occurred.
The White House informed reporters that Biden was briefed on the incident by Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Homeland Security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.
CNN reported that one attendee succumbed to a bullet injury during the shooting, citing Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger. The shooter was also killed by the Secret Service, according to a Secret Service source. The district attorney also stated that Trump, who appeared to have sustained an injury to his ear, will be fine and was promptly escorted by the Secret Service. Another spectator at the rally is in serious condition.
