Two hours after a gunman wounded former president Donald Trump at his rally in western Pennsylvania 0n Saturday, President Joe Biden denounced all forms of “political violence” and said he plans to speak with his opponent.
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden said in a brief televised address from Rehoboth Beach, Del., as Secret Service agents continued gathering more details about the incident. “It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening.”
“Everybody, everybody must condemn it,” he added elsewhere in the speech.
Biden thanked the Secret Service and other agencies, including those in Pennsylvania, for ensuring the safety of Trump and the rally’s attendees in Butler, Pa.
Moments after the gunman shot Trump in his right ear, Secret Service swarmed the Republican frontrunner and drove him to a local medical facility. Trump is in stable condition, but the shooter was immediately killed by Secret Service. At least one spectator died, and two others are believed to be in critical condition.
The apparent assassination attempt came two days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is expected to be nominated as the party’s presidential candidate.
Biden revealed he tried getting a hold of Trump over the phone while the former president was undergoing medical treatment. Despite their fierce rivalry, Biden referred to Trump as “Donald” and said he hopes to speak with him as soon as possible. The White House confirmed Biden has spoken with Trump later Saturday night, as well as Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and Butler mayor Bob Dandoy.
In a prior statement, Biden said he was briefed on the situation and wished for his opponent’s health and safety. Vice President Kamala Harris also received a briefing about the incident, the White House said. The president will receive another briefing Sunday morning.
“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,” the president said in a White House 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 Democratic incumbent first heard the news while walking out of church in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on his vacation. Asked if he’d heard what happened, he reportedly responded with a “no” and returned to his residence.