Reactions are pouring in from leaders and organizations across New York state after Former President Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night after a shooting that killed at least one rally attendee.
The former president said he was “shot with a bullet” that pierced part of his ear.
In a statement, Trump’s campaign said that he is “fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
In a statement on his Truth Social platform on Saturday night, Trump thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their “rapid response” and expressed his condolences to the family of the person who was killed at the rally, as well as his thoughts for another person who was “badly injured.”
The FBI early Sunday identified the suspected shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa. He was killed by the United States Secret Service.
Many elected leaders and groups on both sides of the political aisle released statements and social media posts on Saturday condemning the attack:
“Any violence against a fellow American is disgusting and unacceptable. We must express political disagreements peacefully, civilly and respectfully.
I am praying for the safety and health of former President Trump and all who are attending this event in Pennsylvania.”
“Continuing to pray for the victims and their families following the horrifying assassination attempt yesterday. Whatever our political disagreements – no matter their intensity – we must never forget that we are all Americans.
We all pledge our allegiance to the flag, we all pray for our troops at home and abroad, and we all want our children to prosper and feel safe on our homeland. May God bless America and keep us united against all forms of violence.”
My thoughts are with @realDonaldTrump. I pray for his well-being & thank the brave men & women of the secret service for their swift response While we are still learning what happened, the nation must stand united in unequivocally condemning political violence in any & all forms”
“My thoughts and well wishes are with Donald Trump and every person and family impacted by today’s events. Violence in our politics has been spreading and today’s events are further proof that things have gone well too far.
There is always room for strong disagreement, but it should be clear that violence is not the answer. While we may have different opinions, we all have the same goal of working to make our country better. That includes condemning senseless violence against any individual.”
“This attempted assassination is a despicable act that has no place in American politics. Efforts to demonize fellow Americans because of their differing viewpoints must stop. Calling former President Trump a threat to democracy is inflammatory and wrong. Open borders are a threat to our democracy and wrong. Using lawfare to silence an opponent is a threat to democracy and wrong. Hiding the current president’s health is a threat to our democracy and our nation’s safety. However, having a political opponent who has served as our president and wants a different direction for America is not a threat to democracy. Labeling it as such empowers violence. This should be a campaign of competing ideas, not demonizing opponents. May President Trump get well soon, and God bless our brave law enforcers and those wounded or killed by this senseless violence.”
New York Republican State Committee:
“Praying for the safety of President Trump and the attendees of the rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for our heroes in law enforcement who rushed in to help.”
New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerry Kassar:
“The assassination attempt on President Trump is a shocking development and should serve as a national wakeup call against the hatred consuming our country. We are relieved to learn that President Trump is now safe, and encouraged by his iconic fist pump while leaving the Pennsylvania stage. We congratulate law enforcement on their quick action in taking down a shooter, and are fully confident that a meticulous investigation will take place. We express our deepest sympathies to other innocent parties reportedly shot at the event.
“The vitriol in this country must be toned down. This is not who we are as a nation.”
Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer:
“I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country.”
“Political violence is completely unacceptable and has no place in American democracy. My thoughts are with former President Trump and all of those affected by this horrifying act. I’m grateful to law enforcement for their swift response.”
“Praying for President Trump, his family, the great patriots at the rally in harm’s way and all of America during this tragic time.”
“Please pray for President Trump, his family, and all of the patriots at today’s rally in Pennsylvania.”
“Praying for President Trump and his family in a moment of terrible tragedy for America.”
“Praying for President Trump and all attendees at the rally in Pennsylvania!”
“The shooting at former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally is utterly reprehensible. There is absolutely no place for violence in our democracy and society. Thinking and praying for all involved and for the United States of America.”
“Thank you to the Secret Service and other law enforcement members who responded quickly to today’s reprehensible act of violence.
I pray for the former President, our nation, and all affected.”
“Let me be as clear and unequivocal as possible: there is no excuse whatsoever for political violence.
Thank you to our brave Secret Service agents for their quick action; I am praying that President Trump and anyone else injured makes a speedy recovery.”
“Terrifying. Praying for the safety of the former President and everyone attending the rally.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”
“The news of the attack on President Trump in PA is deeply concerning, I’m praying for his & his supporters safety. Very grateful for the law enforcement & secret service officers who ran towards danger.”
“The violence committed against President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania this evening is reprehensible and should concern people of every political affiliation. Differences in political views are never justification for violence. Whoever committed this crime should be brought to justice and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I pray that President Trump is okay and that no other individuals were hurt.”
“The despicable attack on former President Donald Trump at a rally today in Pennsylvania is absolutely disgusting and horrifying. Good people of all political persuasions should condemn violence of any kind in our political system. All our deepest prayers go to President Trump for a full and speedy recovery, and to our secret service and law enforcement as they investigate and bring the terrorists who did this to justice.”
“Thankfully former President Trump’s wounds are not life threatening after the assassination attempt on his life at a Pennsylvania campaign rally. We pray for him and his family. No matter where you stand or what side of the aisle you agree with, political violence has no place in our democracy. We are better than this.”
State Sen. Dan Stec:
“Elections are resolved at the ballot box, not from the barrel of a gun. There is no place in American politics or society for the despicable act of domestic terrorism we witnessed yesterday.
“I’m relieved by the news that President Trump is safe after this cowardly attempt on his life, and my heart goes out to the families of the individual who was killed and the two innocent bystanders that were injured while exercising their right to free speech and attending a peaceful political rally.
“Thank you to our brave law enforcement officers for their immediate response to this appalling act, preventing further tragedy and eliminating the apparent shooter.
“As we move forward with this year’s election, let’s stop stoking the flames of extreme behavior and focus on whose vision and capabilities will best serve our nation. The presidential election should be resolved with votes, not violence.
“In the very near future, there will be opportunity for a thorough, transparent and hopefully honest and independent analysis of the obvious tremendous failure of the Secret Service and the years of constant vitriol that led to yesterday’s assassination attempt. For now, I’m relieved that yesterday’s events didn’t prove to be more catastrophic.”
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz:
“At no time in our society is violence of any nature acceptable. In our nation we resolve our differences at the ballot box, not with violence. I’m thinking and praying for former President Trump’s full recovery and any others who may have been injured during today’s event.”
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello:
“Today’s assassination attempt of former President Trump, and the shooting death of a rally attendee is a tragedy for our country and for our democracy. I condemn political violence. It has no place in our country. I’m relieved that the former president appears to be safe. My thoughts are with President Trump and his family and to the family of the individual who lost his life merely attending a peaceful political rally. Thank you to the brave men and women in the Secret Service and law enforcement who put themselves in harm’s way protecting the former president.”
“Resorting to violence at a political event is reprehensible & must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
I am encouraged to hear that President Trump is safe & commend the members of law enforcement who responded. I hope those responsible are quickly brought to justice.”
New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli:
“It’s welcome news that former President Trump will be okay.
In America, we debate our issues both big and small with our words and at the ballot box. Political violence like what happened today is shameful and has no place in our discourse.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams:
“The events that unfolded at today’s rally in Pennsylvania are horrific.
Sending my prayers to former President Trump, his family, and everyone who was at today’s event.
Political violence has no place in this country.
Out of an abundance of caution, the NYPD is surging officers to certain sites across the five boroughs.”
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