Pennsylvania political leaders condemn Trump shooting at Butler County rally

Pennsylvania elected officials and political leaders denounced the violence at Donald Trump's Butler rally on Saturday that left one spectator dead, two seriously injured and also injured the former president and presumptive GOP 2024 presidential nominee.

Trump was rushed off the stage after apparent gunshots rang out, and appeared to have blood on his ear and cheek. The shooting is being investigated as an assassination attempt, CNN, the Associated Press and other outlets reported.

A Trump spokesperson said the former president is "fine" but seeing doctors at a nearby medical facility. The shooter, who has not been identified as of Saturday night, was in an elevated position outside the rally, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

President Joe Biden, who is in Rehoboth Beach, issued a statement confirming he had been briefed on the shooting and expressed gratitude that Trump is 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," Biden said in the statement. "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."

The president's campaign said it is pausing all outbound communications and working to pull down all of its television ads as quickly as possible following the shooting.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, R-16th Dist., told CBS News that he had not talked to Trump since the shooting. He was seated in the front row, cose to the former president when shots rang out. He said Dave McCormick, the GOP candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, was also close to Trump at the rally.

He said he heard "a series of pops," and saw people scattering in the stands behind him, according to the interview.

"It was so surreal because we were at the Butler Farm Show grounds ... People showed up just to celebrate that we can gather as a group and we can celebrate who it is we (support) as Americans," the GOP representative said, estimating 30,000 people were there.

" ... This is absolutely not who we are as Americans," Kelly told the news network. He said he is trying to figure out how far we have sunk as a nation."

Here is what Pennsylvania officials said Saturday in reaction to the violence in Western Pennsylvania.

More on violence in Butler County Donald Trump rushed from rally; 1 attendee dead and 2 seriously injured after apparent assassination attempt

Pennsylvania governor and Pennsylvania attorney general react

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Montgomery County resident, said on X that he had been briefed on the situation and Pennsylvania State Police were on the scene working with federal and local law enforcement.

Shapiro, a former Pennsylvania attorney general, called any violence targeting either political party or leader is "absolutely unacceptable."

"Lori and I are praying for President Trump, the Secret Service officers who protected him, those attending the event, and all of the first responders still on the scene," Shapiro wrote.

Current Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said she was "deeply disturbed" and that violence that has "absolutely no place in the Commonwealth or anywhere."

"My regards are with the families who will be forever impacted by this heinous act I am hopeful for a speedy recovery for former President Trump," said Henry, a former Bucks County district attorney. "We are in contact with our law enforcement partners and will work cooperatively with them.”

Pennsylvania's 1st District congressional candidates condemn political violence

In a post on X, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who is seeing re-election in Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District, called Trump a "fighter" and expressed that he will be "ok."

In a written statement released late Saturday night, Fitzpatrick said that political violence has "no justification or any place in America - against anyone, for any reason at any time." He urged Americans to come together as a nation and find "common ground."

"This heinous and reprehensible act was not just an assassination attack, but an attack on our democracy, our freedom, and the very principles that define our great nation," Fitzpatrick said. "We must mobilize every available resource to ensure a thorough investigation and, although the shooter has been killed, ensure any and all involved are brought to justice."

Fitzpatrick's Democratic challenger, Ashley Ehasz posted on X that she "unequivocally condemned" the violence against former President Trump.

"I call for those responsible to be held accountable swiftly and wish for a full recovery for those injured," Ehasz wrote. "Violence is never the answer."

Montgomery County's Pennsylvania 4th District congressional candidates offer thoughts and prayers to Trump family

"I am deeply troubled to learn of the events in Butler today, and I am thankful the former president is safe," Democrat U.S. Rep. Madeline Dean wrote on X. "My prayers are with the former president, his family, all victims, and all in attendance at the rally. Political violence — any violence — has no place in our society."

Republican opponent David Winkler blamed the shooting at the Butler rally on "Democratic rhetoric," calling it "dangerous." In a post on X, he also called for the universal condemnation of what he called an "assassination attempt" on the former president and presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee.

Winkler also urged the media, entertainment and politicians to "stop the divisive rhetoric that fueled this hate filled assassination attempt on Trump.

"We need to elect leaders who will chill the divisions and rise up to bring this country together," Winkler wrote on X, adding in a later post that Trump has his "100%" support.

"They impeached this man twice, They indicted this man 4 times, They even tried to assassinate him, & he got back up & continues to fight. This Man is one of the toughest leaders America has ever had," Winkler wrote.

Bucks County Republican and Democratic committees call for an end to political violence, urge prayers for Trump

The Bucks County GOP account on X also expressed support for Trump, saying the committee stands with the former president. "As we wait to hear more please keep President Trump and his family in your prayers," according to the account post.

Bucks County Democratic Committee Chairman state Rep. Steven Santarsiero also condemned the violence against Trump on X, and thanked the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement for their swift action to protect Trump and the public attending the rally.

"The Bucks County Democratic Party is thankful that former President Trump is safe and doing well by all reports. Let us all keep in our prayers anyone who may have been seriously injured as a result of this act," Santasiero wrote. "Political violence has no place in our democratic society and all Americans should be united in condemning this horrible act and in speaking with one voice against the threat of similar actions in the future.”

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Pa. officials condemn Trump shooting at Butler County rally