Donald Trump News | Donald Trump Assassination Attempt | Donald Trump Rally Shooting
On Saturday at Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a barrage of gunfire erupted. Unfortunately one attendee was killed and two critically injured – the suspected shooter being fatally shot by Secret Service agents.
President Trump decided to cut short his weekend trip to Delaware after the attack and return immediately to Washington in order to continue fighting on behalf of the people.
What Happened in Donald Trump Rally?
One hot Pennsylvania evening, attendees attending Trump’s rally in Butler heard gunshots ring out; though not immediately clear where they originated from. “There was some disorientation,” recalls Sky News videographer James Fletcher; it was difficult to hear exactly where shots were coming from. After two more pops, Donald Trump reached for his ear knowing something was amiss and knew his life may have been threatened, dropping to his knees as soon as it occurred – an action Fletcher noticed as filming for Sky News began filming of his event.
As the crowd became quiet, people began yelling for Trump to rise and continue speaking. That was when Secret Service agents intervened and placed him into their protective vehicle – there was visible blood on his ear and face at this time.
An investigation of the shooting by state law enforcement agencies and federal agents is under way, according to a Secret Service spokesperson. FBI Director James Comey will host a briefing late Saturday, and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer will summon Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for testimony at an oversight committee hearing scheduled for Monday morning.
This attack reaffirmed long-held fears of political violence during and after an election as America’s partisanship becomes ever more entrenched. Both Republicans and Democrats immediately denounced it as a senseless act of violence with no place in American politics.
Who Was the Gunman?
Thomas Matthew Crooks from Pennsylvania was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks by police snipers as being responsible for shootings that occurred around 200 yards from where Trump was speaking when shots were fired from him from an elevated sniper position. When shots were fired by him at that time, police quickly dispatched an emergency response unit that shot and killed him before moving in for the kill.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from a one-story building to the right of where Trump was standing. Greg Smith told BBC he noticed someone climbing onto the roof before hearing gunshots; he reported their appearance to law enforcement officials.
As more apparent gunshots were heard ringing through the crowd, Secret Service agents rushed onto the stage to protect President Trump and place their hands to his ears; upon being led away by agents into a motorcade there was blood visible on his face and some visible blood on his hands.
James Comer, Chair of the House Oversight Committee is planning a hearing in response to yesterday’s shooting at Trump Tower in Manhattan. He has invited Director of Secret Service George Tensing as an expert witness; President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will receive briefings as well. Former President Barack Obama tweeted his condolences: ‘it’s truly miraculous that Donald Trump wasn’t more seriously injured.” Meanwhile Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated his country stood with Trump, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X that violence had no place or justification in any society – two positions taken very quickly after an attack took place.
What’s Next?
As Donald Trump prepares to become the official Republican presidential nominee, his celebratory rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday evening quickly turned violent with one spectator killed and two critically injured by an attempt on their lives by would-be assassins posed by someone looking for trouble – leading Secret Service agents to shoot dead their would-be assailant before returning fire with deadly precision on him. One person died and another two were critically injured at this attack by those hoping to assassinate.
In a statement issued by the FBI, Thomas Matthew Crooks was identified as the suspect involved and that an active and ongoing investigation has been initiated into this shooting. Additionally, they urge anyone with information to call their tip line immediately.
This incident raiseds serious concerns over political violence in an increasingly divisive US and could alter the tone of next week’s Republican National Convention, set to kick off Monday in Milwaukee. But according to a spokeswoman for the convention, everything will proceed according to plan.
It was unprecedented for an attempt at an assassination to occur less than four months before Election Day and raised serious security issues at public events. Furthermore, it drew attention to our nation’s history of assassinations attempts, such as on Ronald Reagan in 1981. Former Justice Department spokesperson Mark Corallo believes the attempted assassination shows there must be increased protection of Trump and other public figures.
Why Are We Still Waiting?
The FBI has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the suspect behind an “assassination attempt.” According to reports from witnesses at a rally yesterday in Butler, Pennsylvania, Crooks drove into the crowd before opening fire on Donald Trump.
People rushed for shelter after hearing “popping noises,” according to a filmmaker in the audience. A journalist reported hearing popping noises which disoriented everyone present.
Though it was unclear whether or not the shots were real, many were fearful for their safety and one person died while two critically injured individuals required hospital care.
As news spread, world leaders spoke up. Norwegian Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed shock over what he believed to be shocking scenes and said political violence has no place in societies.
Joe Biden also voiced his condemnation of the attack, telling those who love their country to step back from division, forgo all violence and unite in prayer for former president Bill Clinton and his family. This incident raised serious concerns regarding security at high-profile events ahead of midterm elections – particularly with regard to RNC convention preparations – while President Donald Trump cut short his beach house vacation in Delaware so as to return home where he will receive briefing from Homeland Security and law enforcement authorities.
