OREGON, USA — Oregon leaders are reacting after Donald Trump was rushed off stage during his Pennsylvania rally Saturday after gunshots rang through the crowd, with one bullet striking him on "the upper part of my right ear," Trump later said.
The suspected gunman and at least one rally attendee are dead, according to a local prosecutor; the Secret Service said two spectators were critically injured.
The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination, law enforcement officials say. The FBI has assumed the lead role in the investigation.
GOP response
Many Republican leaders in Oregon asked for prayers for the former president, including Oregon Senate Republicans, which tweeted, "This is a dark day for our nation."
House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River), said in a statement, “Our prayers are with President Trump. Democrats not only need to denounce this despicable act of violence, they must also consider how their over-the-top partisan rhetoric about fake 'threats to democracy' have contributed to this. We settle disputes in this country with our votes, not violence.”
Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) said, "Today, we should all be reminded that violence has absolutely no place in our political discourse. It threatens our country and the principles upon which it was built. This violent attack is not just an assault on one individual but on our collective values. This moment transcends political affiliations and ideologies."
Bohman also called for bipartisan unity and offered prayers to Trump, his loved ones and the families of those killed.
Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who represents Oregon's 5th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, said in an emailed statement, "Like so many Oregonians and Americans, I'm devastated and deeply troubled by the senseless act of violence that caused innocent blood to be spilled in Pennsylvania today. Political violence in all forms is reprehensible and uniquely unAmerican. I'm grateful to all those who responded swiftly to protect President Trump and those in attendance, and I will continue praying for the safety of our nation and mourn this horrifying tragedy.”
Republican Rep. Ed Diel, who represents Oregonians in District 17, also tweeted, "Praying for Trump and those in the audience."
The Washington County Republican Party of Oregon denounced the attack, saying in part, "We pray for and stand in solidarity with President Trump and his family, and with the other victims and their families. We pray for civility to return to our land. May God have mercy on our beloved nation — the United States of America."
Democratic response
Democratic leaders also condemned the attack and political violence.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said, "Violence of any kind has no place in politics. My thoughts are with the former President and all event attendees."
Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden stated the shooting "underlines clearly the danger of normalizing political violence."
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Vancouver) stated that she was offering prayers, adding, "There is no room in America for political violence of any kind, against anyone, for any reason."
Longtime Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer simply stated to KGW, via email, "While we await more information, let me be unequivocal: Political violence has no place in our country.”
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, who represents Oregon's 1st district, said simply, "I condemn all forms of political violence. Disagreements about policy or politics should never turn into physical attacks."
Rep, Val Hoyle, who represents Oregon’s Fourth District, tweeted, in part, "Violence has absolutely no place in our democracy."
Andrea Salinas, a Democrat who represents Oregon's 6th congressional district, stated, "What happened today in Pennsylvania is appalling. Violence of any kind has no place in our country. I'm grateful for the quick response by law enforcement and thankful the former president is safe."
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler tweeted, "The political violence that occurred today in Butler is indefensible and threatens our democracy. I'm grateful first responders were able to act quickly and I hope the former president has a speedy recovery."
Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, who is running in the 2024 Portland mayoral race, expressed his concern about the attack. He added, "Violence towards electeds (sic) and candidates has a chilling effect on those who consider serving, and there is no place for political violence in a thriving democracy."
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek tweeted, "Violence in a political context is never acceptable, and our country is better than this. Thankful that the former president is recovering and grateful to all those on the front line that responded quickly."
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee tweeted, "Violence has no place in politics, ever. I hope whoever perpetrated today's attack is held to account. Our thoughts are with all who attended the former president's event, and I join the many others who are expressing gratitude for the Secret Service and first responders."
Washington U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, tweeted in part, "There is no place for political violence in America. None. I’m glad former President Trump is safe. My prayers are with everyone at the rally, and their families, who have been impacted by this violence."
'The former President is safe'
In Butler, on the rally stage, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face; there appeared to be blood near his ear.
He ducked for cover as agents rushed the stage, tended to him and whisked him into a motorcade, which left the venue as police began vacating the fairgrounds. Local officers described the area as a crime scene.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung, Trump's campaign manager, said in a statement. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow."
A Secret Service spokesperson also confirmed, "The former President is safe," later saying the incident "is an active Secret Service investigation." Later, the agency said that the shooter was outside of the rally venue and fired shots from an elevated position; the shooter was "neutralized" by Secret Service agents.
"One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured," the agency added, who stated that they've notified the FBI.
President Joe Biden said in a statement, "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. 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."
Shortly afterwards, at a live press conference in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, he condemned political violence, saying, "There is no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick.” Biden added he is trying to get in touch with Trump.
Trump later posted on TruthSocial:
"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
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