BUTLER, Pa. — A shocking assassination attempt was made against former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday, sparking chaos just days before he was expected to accept the Republican nomination for a third time. Amidst a frenzy of gunfire, a wounded Trump, struck in the ear, was swiftly shielded and evacuated by Secret Service agents, signaling a defiance with a resolute fist pump to onlookers.
Trump, who is poised to be the Republican nominee once again, confirmed he sustained a gunshot wound to the upper portion of his right ear but indicated he was recovering well. Describing the moment of the attack, Trump recalled hearing a distinct whizzing noise followed by a sharp pain as the bullet tore through his skin, causing significant bleeding.
Authorities, including the FBI, identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the gunman. The investigation remains active, with the Secret Service fatally shooting Crooks, who had fired from an elevated position outside the rally venue, causing one fatality and critically injuring two others among the attendees.
This attempt on Trump’s life is the most severe since the attack on Ronald Reagan in 1981, highlighting the growing concerns about political violence in a deeply divided United States ahead of the presidential election in less than four months. The Republican National Convention, set to start Monday in Milwaukee, will nonetheless proceed as planned according to organizers.
Following the incident, Trump was escorted to a local hospital in Pennsylvania before flying to New Jersey, landing at Newark Liberty International Airport post-midnight. The footage released by his staff showed him alighting from his jet under the vigilant watch of a heavily armed Secret Service counterassault team, illustrating an unusually visible layer of protection.
President Joe Biden, Trump’s contender in the upcoming election, was briefed on the attack and communicated with Trump several hours post-incident, denouncing the violence in strong terms. The president described the act as reprehensible, emphasizing that such violence holds no place in America. Biden also opted to return to Washington, cutting a weekend retreat short in light of these events.
Amidst a charged political environment, several Republican figures swiftly directed criticism towards Biden and his associates, suggesting that heightened rhetoric had contributed to a climate conducive to such violence. They pointed specifically to a recent remark by Biden where he metaphorically placed Trump in the “bullseye,” which they argued had escalated tensions.
Immediately reacting to the gunfire, which erupted shortly after 6:10 p.m. during Trump’s presentation, Secret Service protocols were urgently enacted as agents converged to shield the former president with their bodies. The crowd of attendees ducked and reacted in panic as security personnel neutralized the threat within moments.
The attack, occurring in broad daylight with ample video evidence courtesy of rallygoers and media, captured the gunman’s proximity to Trump, raising questions about security measures at such high-profile events. The recovered AR-style rifle at the scene further underlined the grave nature of the threat.
As the situation stabilized and Trump was evacuated, the venue quickly transformed into an active crime scene. Authorities expedited the crowd’s departure and commenced a thorough investigation onsite. The unsettling event has sparked a broader dialogue on the safety of political figures and the potential ramifications for national security as the election looms closer.
This incident underscores a harsh reality of escalating political tensions in the U.S., calling for a unified stand against violence to safeguard the democratic process and ensure the safety of its participants.