Donald Trump survives assassination attempt at rally

BUTLER, Pennsylvania,— Former U.S. President Donald Trump was injured in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally on Saturday. The incident, which highlights serious security lapses, is poised to significantly impact the current presidential race and intensify fears of political violence.

Trump was addressing supporters when gunfire erupted, causing immediate chaos. His security detail swiftly surrounded him, shielding him from further harm. Shortly after, Trump emerged with blood streaking down his face, defiantly pumping his fist and mouthing “Fight! Fight! Fight!” His campaign assured the public that he is “doing well.”

The FBI has identified the assailant as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks, a registered Republican, is now at the center of a high-profile investigation into what the FBI has labeled an attempted assassination.

The Secret Service reported that the shooter was killed during the incident, which also resulted in the death of one rally attendee and injuries to two others. Authorities have not yet identified the motive behind the attack.

The 78-year-old Trump was just beginning his speech when the shots were fired. Witnesses described seeing him clutch his right ear before dropping to his knees behind the podium. Secret Service agents quickly covered him, but he reappeared shortly, minus his signature red “Make America Great Again” hat, and was then whisked away in a black SUV.

“An upper part of my right ear was pierced by a bullet,” Trump later posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, detailing the extent of his injuries and confirming significant bleeding. He was subsequently transported to his residence and golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, under heavy protection.

The attack comes just months before the November 5 election, in which Trump, the Republican nominee, is set for a rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden. Recent polls suggest a closely contested race between the two candidates.

The Republican National Convention, where Trump is expected to receive the party’s formal nomination, is scheduled to begin in Milwaukee on Monday. The shooting has prompted urgent questions about Secret Service protocols, given the agency’s role in protecting former presidents.

This incident marks the first attempt on a major U.S. political figure since the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. The political landscape was quick to respond, with leaders across the spectrum condemning the violence.

“Such violence has no place in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it,” President Biden declared in a statement.

Ron Moose, a Trump supporter who was present at the rally, recounted hearing four shots and seeing Trump and the crowd react instantly. “The Secret Service was on him within seconds,” Moose said, describing the chaotic scene.

Thomas Matthew Crooks opens fire Donald Trump — The FBI has identified the assailant as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He was shot and killed by the Secret Service, July 13, 2024. Photo: SM

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a man with a rifle positioned on a nearby rooftop. This individual, now identified as Crooks, appeared to have fired from outside the secured area, according to the Secret Service. The FBI is leading the investigation.

In a late-night briefing, FBI officials expressed surprise at the suspect’s ability to fire multiple shots. The Secret Service did not participate in this briefing, which was attended by FBI and state law enforcement officials.

The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has called for U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify about the incident, with a hearing scheduled for July 22. The committee stated that “Americans are seeking answers regarding the attempted assassination of President Trump.”

The attack has amplified concerns about the potential for political violence during the campaign season and beyond. The U.S. is deeply polarized, with starkly different political and social visions dividing the electorate.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson unequivocally denounced this appalling instance of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally, affirming that such actions have no rightful place in our nation and warrant unanimous and resolute condemnation.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed relief that Trump was safe, echoing the sentiment that political violence is unacceptable. Biden’s campaign has paused its advertising and communication in response to the event.

Recent polling by Reuters/Ipsos reveals that two-thirds of Americans fear political violence could follow the upcoming election. The attack on Trump underscores these anxieties.

Some of Trump’s allies suggest the attack was politically motivated. “For weeks, Democratic leaders have been stoking fears that Trump’s re-election would mark the demise of democracy,” commented a U.S. Representative Steve Scalise, himself a survivor of a politically motivated shooting in 2017. “This incendiary rhetoric must stop.”

Trump, who has dominated the Republican primary race, has rallied his party despite past controversies, including the January 6 Capitol riot. He entered the year facing multiple legal challenges, with significant developments in recent months affecting his campaign.

Despite his legal troubles, Trump maintains that these prosecutions are politically motivated efforts by Biden to derail his bid for the presidency. He continues to press forward, galvanized by his supporters and determined to return to power.

(With files from Reuters)