President Joe Biden this Sunday (14) condemned the assassination attempt on his Republican opponent, Donald Trump, called on Americans to unite and ordered a review of the security of the rally where Trump was injured.
Biden, who is fighting a tough electoral battle with former President Trump, said he will give a speech to the nation this Sunday night (14) about the need for unity.
“Unity is the most difficult goal of all, but nothing is more important than that right now. Let’s debate and disagree. That won’t change. But let’s not lose sight of who we are as Americans,” he said.
Biden added that he had a short but good conversation with Trump on Saturday night (13) and that he is “sincerely grateful that he is well and recovering.”
He said he ordered a security review amid questions about how the shooter managed to position himself to open fire on Trump.
“There is no place in America for this kind of violence or any violence for that matter. An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation,” he said.
What happened
Former President Donald Trump suffered an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania, United States, on Saturday (13). After gunshots were heard at the scene, he was removed from the stage bleeding, with a wound to his face.
According to his spokesman, Steven Cheung, the Republican is doing well. Trump also thanked him for the messages and asked his supporters for unity.
-
1 in 8
Trump shot in the ear during rally in Pennsylvania Credit: 07/13/2024REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
-
two in 8
Former President Donald Trump was removed from the stage at a rally in Pennsylvania, United States, this Saturday (13). Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
-
3 in 8
Donald Trump is carried off the stage with a wound on his face and was bleeding. Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
-
4 in 8
Loud bangs were heard before Trump fell. Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
-
5 in 8
Secret Service agents then helped him to his feet. Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
-
6 in 8
Subsequently, the former president was taken to a vehicle and removed from the scene. Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
-
7 in 8
Journalists at the scene reported hearing “a series of loud explosions or bangs” before Secret Service agents rushed toward Trump. Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
-
8 in 8
Image shows shooter who attacked Trump during rally; he was on the roof of a nearby building Credit: Reproduction/CNN
The gunman who authorities say was the attacker of former President Donald Trump was a 20-year-old registered Republican who had previously made a small contribution to a Democratic-aligned group, according to public records.
The gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired several shots from an “elevated position” on the roof of a building outside the rally before being killed by security teams.
In addition to the shooter, one person in the audience died, according to authorities, and two other participants were seriously injured. The case is being investigated.