Arizona politicians stunned after Trump shot at, shooter killed at rally
Prayers, gratitude and anger marked the response of Arizona officials after former President Donald Trump was wounded on stage at a campaign rally in western Pennsylvania.
The Secret Service was handling the attack as an assassination attempt.
Gunshots rang out at Trump’s rally in Butler on Saturday, and the Republican presidential candidate appeared to drop to the ground during his speech and was quickly covered by Secret Service agents.
When Trump stood up, he had blood on his face and pumped his fist as he was ushered into a vehicle.
The former president was “fine” and had been evaluated at a medical facility, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheug said in a statement. Trump flew to New Jersey Saturday night and reportedly was to spend the night at his Bedminster residence.
One spectator was killed and two others were critically injured at the rally, according to the Secret Service.
The shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from a rooftop outside the venue, the Secret Service said. Secret Service agents killed the shooter.
He was identified late Saturday as as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. No information about a motive was immediately available.
Trump said in a statement he had been shot in the ear.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” Trump said on Truth Social.
The former president praised law enforcement for responding quickly to the attack and offered his condolences to the family of the person killed at the rally and the families of those injured.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country.” Trump said.
President Joe Biden said in a statement that he had been briefed on the shooting at Trump's rally and said there was "no place for this kind of violence in America."
"I'm grateful to hear that he's 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. "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."
A Biden campaign official said the president's campaign was pausing all outbound communications and working to pull down its campaign television ads as quickly as possible.
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Reaction pours in from Arizona politicians
Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is running for Senate, had a similar message to Biden's.
“Absolutely horrible. Political violence should never be tolerated. I hope President Trump and everyone at the rally is safe. Grateful Secret Service and law enforcement got the situation under control so quickly.”
Republican Rep. Paul Gosar called the attack a "heinous assassination attempt" in a written statement and said he was praying for the former president.
"I am extremely grateful to the brave law enforcement officials protecting President Trump and I thank God he is doing well and will never stop fighting for the American people,” Gosar said.
“Violence is unacceptable. Law and order must prevail. Mr. President, we stand with you,” Republican Rep. Andy Biggs posted on the social media platform X.
Other members of Arizona’s congressional delegation called for prayers for the president.
“Pray for President Trump,” said Republican Rep. Eli Crane. Rep. Juan Ciscomani and former GOP Gov. Doug Ducey shared similar messages.
Rep. David Schweikert said on X that "political violence has no place in America."
"Joyce and I send our prayers to President Trump, his family, and the family of the rally attendee whose life was tragically taken," the Republican lawmaker said.
Rep. Greg Stanton, a Democrat, said he was praying for the health and safety of Trump and the rally attendees. He said he hopes “the perpetrator of this cowardly act is swiftly apprehended by law enforcement” and noted that “violence of any kind is never acceptable.”
“Violence, especially political violence, is completely unacceptable. We must be a model for civil democracy and commit to the values that define us as Americans,” independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said.
'It's sick': Joe Biden condemns shooting at Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania
Gabby Giffords: 'Political violence is terrifying'
Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head during a political event in 2011, said that she was holding Trump in her heart after the incident on Saturday. The Democrat is the founder of GIFFORDS, a gun violence prevention organization.
"Political violence is terrifying. I know,” Giffords said. "I’m holding former president Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable — never."
Sen. Mark Kelly echoed his wife, Giffords, saying, "Gabby and I are horrified by the incident in Pennsylvania."
"No one should ever have to experience political violence — we know that firsthand. We’re keeping former President Trump, his family, and everyone involved in our thoughts," Kelly said.
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs condemned the violence and called for justice against “the perpetrator of this heinous act.”
“Political violence is unacceptable, and has no place in this country,” Hobbs said. “I am glad that former President Trump is safe. ... I hope the perpetrator of this heinous act will be swiftly brought to justice.”
Arizona state Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda took aim at President Joe Biden's cognitive ability in her reaction to the attack at Trump's rally.
"Biden is dodging cognitive tests. President Trump is dodging bullets. Only one is willing to die for the future of America," Swoboda said. "I call on all Arizonans to join us in praying for President Trump and those in attendance."
Later in the day Saturday, Swoboda walked back her initial statement and called for “all Americans – no matter their party – to join us in condemning this atrocity.” The second statement did not mention Biden or his mental acuity.
“We thank God that President Trump is safe. We pray not only for him and his family, but for the family of the rally attendee who was killed by the shooter and the victims currently receiving medical treatment. We also pray for all the Secret Service and law enforcement who put their lives on the line to protect the President and all the attendees. They are heroes, and showed it today,” Swoboda said.
“We are both horrified by this violence and angered that our country continues to suffer under this total collapse in leadership. The world is on fire, violence is growing and America has no one steering our course. President Trump is a fighter and America needs him now more than ever,” she continued. “President Trump will never surrender and neither will the American people.”
Kari Lake, a Trump ally and Republican Senate candidate, asked for prayers for the former president. “They will never stop us,” Lake wrote, accompanied by a photo of Trump with blood on his face.
Jake Hoffman, a state lawmaker and national committeeman-elect to the Republican National Committee for Arizona, criticized news outlets and Democrats for their reaction to the shooting at Trump's rally. Biden also took too long to comment on the attack, Hoffman said.
"They tried to kill President Trump, and they successfully killed a Trump supporter today. Within mere minutes, assassination deniers on the Left, including the Democrat mouthpieces at CNN, The Washington Post and USA Today, all immediately began disseminating misinformation and disinformation about the attempted assassination," Hoffman said in a statement.
“Pray for our broken country,” said Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Sen. John McCain.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona politicians stunned after Trump targeted, shooter killed in PA
