Trump survived an assassination attempt
Images: Evan Vucci/AP | AP/Planet Labs
On Saturday, at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump was the target of what the FBI described as an assassination attempt, with Trump appearing to be shot in the ear – but otherwise unharmed – as a series of gunshots rang out.
- This marks the first shooting of a US president or major party presidential candidate since a failed assassination attempt against President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
More details: Once the shots were fired, Trump appeared to swat at his ear, then was immediately surrounded by Secret Service and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist and mouthed the word “fight.” Officials later confirmed the former president’s health was “fine.” They also confirmed that one spectator was killed and two others were critically injured by shots fired at the rally from a single source.
The suspected gunman, who the FBI says acted alone, was shot and killed by Secret Service seconds after he opened fire at Trump. Authorities later recovered an AR-style rifle they believe was used in the shooting, and also found bomb-making materials in the car the suspect was driving, per multiple reports.
- The suspect was later identified as a 20-year-old white male from Pennsylvania. The FBI is investigating the shooting as a potential act of domestic terrorism, though the motive is still undetermined.
- Records show the suspect was a registered Republican, but also donated $15 to a progressive political action committee on the day President Biden was sworn into office.
Leaders of both political parties strongly condemned the shooting. Top Democrats, top Republicans, and former presidents all denounced political violence and urged the country to promote unity in the aftermath of the shooting, including President Biden, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D), House Whip Steve Scalise (R), Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D), former President George W. Bush, and former President Barack Obama.
- Some Republicans blamed the shooting on Biden and Democrats’ recent political rhetoric, while Trump said in a social media post that the attacker’s motive is currently unclear.
Looking ahead… Trump says he still plans to speak at the Republican National Convention, which runs from today through Thursday. Prior to the shooting, Trump was also expected to reveal his pick for vice president sometime this week.
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Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that any attempt to resolve an election through violence is abhorrent, and it’s now incumbent on political leaders of both parties – and on Americans individually and collectively – to resist a slide into further violence and the type of extremist language that fuels it.
- Others contend that Americans should recognize that we have all been touched by toxic politics – regardless of our beliefs or where we fall on an ideological spectrum – and should work to minimize its impact on our actions.
- “The Attack on Donald Trump Is Antithetical to America” –NY Times Editorial Board
- “What do we want to do, America?” –WaPo Editorial Board
- “Trump shooting a shocking and perilous moment for America” –LA Times Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that Trump’s shooting proves that leaders on both sides need to stop describing the stakes of the election in apocalyptic terms, as democracy won’t end if one or the other candidate is elected, and fascism is not aborning if Trump wins.
- Others contend that in light of what happened, it’s safe to say that Biden’s recent incendiary rhetoric against Trump looks ill-considered, as do the words of many on the anti-Trump side who have used what might be called maximalist rhetoric against the former president.
- “The Shooting of Donald Trump” –WSJ Editorial Board
- “Rhetoric and the Trump assassination attempt” –Byron York, Washington Examiner
- “The Political Fallout from the Trump Assassination Attempt” –Philip Klein, National Review
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