Former FBI agent, political science professor react to Trump assassination attempt
It was a shocking moment seen around the world. “Just kind of surreal to see something like that,” said Dr. Matt Harris, a political science professor at Park University. Americans saw an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in real time.”I think that’s kind of the surprising thing is, you know, how something like that could happen,” said Harris. He says it comes at a critical time in American politics. “I think it heightens the visibility of problems and polarization, political violence that has been escalating in the United States for several years,” said Harris. Harris says it may be too early to know how the attempted assassination will affect the election. “I don’t know that it’ll do much for the election. Number one, we’re in July. Number two, they’re two really well-known candidates,” said Harris. Meanwhile, the FBI is looking into the shooter’s background and gathering the facts. “I can tell you, dead bodies do not talk. They tell a lot of stories because now we know who he is, and we’re going back into his history now; information, electronic communication, cell phone data, talking to friends and family and putting together a picture of who he is,” said retired FBI agent Michael Tabman. This is all happening in the middle of a tough election year, as the country yearns for unity.”The last 24 hours or so is exactly what we, I think, want to see, which is pretty much universally people saying this is not acceptable, this isn’t who we are,” said Harris.
It was a shocking moment seen around the world.
“Just kind of surreal to see something like that,” said Dr. Matt Harris, a political science professor at Park University.
Americans saw an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in real time.
“I think that’s kind of the surprising thing is, you know, how something like that could happen,” said Harris.
He says it comes at a critical time in American politics.
“I think it heightens the visibility of problems and polarization, political violence that has been escalating in the United States for several years,” said Harris.
Harris says it may be too early to know how the attempted assassination will affect the election.
“I don’t know that it’ll do much for the election. Number one, we’re in July. Number two, they’re two really well-known candidates,” said Harris.
Meanwhile, the FBI is looking into the shooter’s background and gathering the facts.
“I can tell you, dead bodies do not talk. They tell a lot of stories because now we know who he is, and we’re going back into his history now; information, electronic communication, cell phone data, talking to friends and family and putting together a picture of who he is,” said retired FBI agent Michael Tabman.
This is all happening in the middle of a tough election year, as the country yearns for unity.
“The last 24 hours or so is exactly what we, I think, want to see, which is pretty much universally people saying this is not acceptable, this isn’t who we are,” said Harris.
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