Trump Assassination Attempt: Biden Says ‘No Information’ On Motive, Calls For Independent Investigation Into Rally Shooting (Live Updates)
President Joe Biden on Sunday spoke briefly about the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump but provided few substantial updates into the ongoing investigation, saying there is still “no information” about the motive of the suspected shooter, and calling for enhanced security surrounding both Trump personally and the upcoming Republican National Convention.
Former president Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally before shots were fired on Saturday, ... [+]THE WASHINGTON POST VIA GETTY IMAGES
KEY FACTS
Biden said he briefly spoke to Trump on Saturday night and has since directed the Secret Service to continue providing him with “every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure his continued safety,” has directed the agency to review “all security measures” for the RNC and has ordered an independent review of the shooting to determine how it was possible for a lone gunman to fire shots at a presidential candidate, the results of which he said will be released to the public.
Biden asked the public to “unite as one nation” and to “please not make assumptions” about the shooters’ motives or affiliations.”
Reps. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., said Sunday they will introduce bipartisan legislation to give enhanced Secret Service protection to Trump, President Joe Biden and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this election cycle in the wake of Trump’s attempted assassination Saturday.
Former First Lady Melania Trump, who has rarely been seen by her husband’s side since he launched his presidential campaign in November of 2022, released a lengthy statement Sunday urging Americans to "reunite" and lessen the harsh political divides that have defined this presidential election cycle.
She urged the country to “remember that when the time comes to look beyond the left and the right, beyond the red and the blue, we all come from families with the passion to fight for a better life together, while we are here, in this earthly realm.”
The Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey announced it would be closed Sunday following the attack on Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after which he and his team flew to New Jersey.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told NBC News on Sunday morning that it was important all Americans "treat one another with dignity and respect" while at the same time putting some blame for the events on Biden's recent comments about his campaign strategy that included, "It’s time to put Trump in the bullseye.”
Johnson said he knows Biden "didn’t mean what is being implied there," but "that kind of language on either side should be called out.”
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WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Biden said he would speak again about the attempt on Trump’s life from the Oval Office Sunday night. The White House has not yet confirmed a time.
WHEN WAS TRUMP SHOT?
Trump was shot in the ear Sunday after a gunman opened fire on a campaign rally shortly after 6 p.m.. The former president can be seen on video ducking behind a podium before he is surrounded by Secret Service agents and ushered off stage with blood visible on the right side of his face. One rally attendee was killed and two others were seriously hurt in the shooting.
WHO WAS THE VICTIM KILLED AT THE RALLY?
Officials on Sunday identified 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a father, husband and former volunteer fire chief, as the lone victim killed. “He shielded my body from the bullet that came at us,” his daughter, Allyson Comperatore, wrote on Facebook.
WHO WAS THE SHOOTER AT THE TRUMP RALLY?
The FBI has identified the alleged shooter as a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man named Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 2022 Bethel High School graduate who is too young to have voted in a presidential election. Crooks was killed by the Secret Service after firing at Trump.
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WHAT HAS TRUMP SAID SINCE THE SHOOTING?
Trump posted on Truth Social shortly after the shooting thanking law enforcement for their “rapid response” and expressing his “condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed.” Trump posted again on Sunday morning, thanking his supporters, and urging them to "stand united." He said he still plans to speak in Wisconsin later this week, where he is expected to formally accept the Republican nomination for president at the Republican National Convention.
SURPRISING FACT
Major candidates and their spouses have received Secret Service protection since the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, and individual protection is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security after consultation with the Congressional Advisory Committee. Biden is protected by the Secret Service as a sitting president and Trump is protected both as a major candidate and as a former president. Kennedy (Robert Kennedy’s son) is not under the agency’s protection after a request he submitted last year was denied.
TANGENT
A number of prominent Republicans have come forward to blame the shooting on Democrats and the mainstream media. The president condemned any acts of political violence as “sick” and said he was "grateful" to hear Trump was safe. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., tweeted outright that "Joe Biden sent the orders" to have Trump shot and called for charges to be filed against him. Potential Trump vice presidential pick Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, placed the blame squarely on the Biden campaign, which he says centers around the idea that Trump "is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination." Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., another name on the vice presidential shortlist, said the shooting was "aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists or worse." Rep. Marjoie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said "Democrats and the media are to blame for every drop of blood spilled today." Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, said the left and news outlets are "DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for this violent attack on President Trump’s life!! They have BLOOD on their hands. ENOUGH of the VIOLENT RHETORIC! AMERICA IS PISSED!!!!,” he tweeted.
Former president Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally before shots were fired on Saturday, ... [+]THE WASHINGTON POST VIA GETTY IMAGES
KEY FACTS
Biden said he briefly spoke to Trump on Saturday night and has since directed the Secret Service to continue providing him with “every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure his continued safety,” has directed the agency to review “all security measures” for the RNC and has ordered an independent review of the shooting to determine how it was possible for a lone gunman to fire shots at a presidential candidate, the results of which he said will be released to the public.
Biden asked the public to “unite as one nation” and to “please not make assumptions” about the shooters’ motives or affiliations.”
Reps. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., said Sunday they will introduce bipartisan legislation to give enhanced Secret Service protection to Trump, President Joe Biden and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this election cycle in the wake of Trump’s attempted assassination Saturday.
Former First Lady Melania Trump, who has rarely been seen by her husband’s side since he launched his presidential campaign in November of 2022, released a lengthy statement Sunday urging Americans to "reunite" and lessen the harsh political divides that have defined this presidential election cycle.
She urged the country to “remember that when the time comes to look beyond the left and the right, beyond the red and the blue, we all come from families with the passion to fight for a better life together, while we are here, in this earthly realm.”
The Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey announced it would be closed Sunday following the attack on Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, after which he and his team flew to New Jersey.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told NBC News on Sunday morning that it was important all Americans "treat one another with dignity and respect" while at the same time putting some blame for the events on Biden's recent comments about his campaign strategy that included, "It’s time to put Trump in the bullseye.”
Johnson said he knows Biden "didn’t mean what is being implied there," but "that kind of language on either side should be called out.”
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Biden said he would speak again about the attempt on Trump’s life from the Oval Office Sunday night. The White House has not yet confirmed a time.
WHEN WAS TRUMP SHOT?
Trump was shot in the ear Sunday after a gunman opened fire on a campaign rally shortly after 6 p.m.. The former president can be seen on video ducking behind a podium before he is surrounded by Secret Service agents and ushered off stage with blood visible on the right side of his face. One rally attendee was killed and two others were seriously hurt in the shooting.
WHO WAS THE VICTIM KILLED AT THE RALLY?
Officials on Sunday identified 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a father, husband and former volunteer fire chief, as the lone victim killed. “He shielded my body from the bullet that came at us,” his daughter, Allyson Comperatore, wrote on Facebook.
WHO WAS THE SHOOTER AT THE TRUMP RALLY?
The FBI has identified the alleged shooter as a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man named Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 2022 Bethel High School graduate who is too young to have voted in a presidential election. Crooks was killed by the Secret Service after firing at Trump.
Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.
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WHAT HAS TRUMP SAID SINCE THE SHOOTING?
Trump posted on Truth Social shortly after the shooting thanking law enforcement for their “rapid response” and expressing his “condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed.” Trump posted again on Sunday morning, thanking his supporters, and urging them to "stand united." He said he still plans to speak in Wisconsin later this week, where he is expected to formally accept the Republican nomination for president at the Republican National Convention.
SURPRISING FACT
Major candidates and their spouses have received Secret Service protection since the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, and individual protection is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security after consultation with the Congressional Advisory Committee. Biden is protected by the Secret Service as a sitting president and Trump is protected both as a major candidate and as a former president. Kennedy (Robert Kennedy’s son) is not under the agency’s protection after a request he submitted last year was denied.
TANGENT
A number of prominent Republicans have come forward to blame the shooting on Democrats and the mainstream media. The president condemned any acts of political violence as “sick” and said he was "grateful" to hear Trump was safe. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., tweeted outright that "Joe Biden sent the orders" to have Trump shot and called for charges to be filed against him. Potential Trump vice presidential pick Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, placed the blame squarely on the Biden campaign, which he says centers around the idea that Trump "is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination." Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., another name on the vice presidential shortlist, said the shooting was "aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists or worse." Rep. Marjoie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said "Democrats and the media are to blame for every drop of blood spilled today." Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, said the left and news outlets are "DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for this violent attack on President Trump’s life!! They have BLOOD on their hands. ENOUGH of the VIOLENT RHETORIC! AMERICA IS PISSED!!!!,” he tweeted.
