Trump urges unity after assassination attempt, calls his survival a divine intervention
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WASHINGTON - Donald Trump called on Americans on July 14 to stand united after he was injured in an assassination attempt - a shocking incident that opened a dark new chapter in an already polarised US presidential race.
The 78-year-old former president was hit in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania,
Authorities identified the rally attendee who was shot and killed as Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania, who Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro told reporters was killed when he dove on top of his family to protect them from the hail of bullets.
“Corey was an avid supporter of the former president, and was so excited to be there last night with him in the community,” Shapiro said, adding, “Political disagreements can never, ever be addressed through violence.”
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United,” Trump said in a statement on his Truth Social network, adding that Americans should not allow “Evil to win”.
The Republican added that it was “God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening” and that he would “FEAR NOT”.
The gunman has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania,
The Wall Street Journal and CNN said that explosive materials were found in a car belonging to him. It was reportedly parked near the campaign event venue.
His motive remains unknown.
US President Joe Biden was getting a fresh briefing later on July 14 at the White House on the assassination bid against his rival in November’s tense election.
The 81-year-old Democrat has called the attack “sick”
Trump’s wife Melania said the gunman was a “monster”, who had attempted to silence her husband’s “laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration.”
World leaders have condemned the attack,
Security questions
In scenes that will haunt an America already traumatised by violence and political upheaval, Trump clutched his ear and fell to the ground after gunshots rang out at the rally on July 13.
Secret Service agents surrounded him then bundled the former president off stage, as he raised a fist in defiance, with blood streaked across his ear and face.
Trump said afterwards that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear” and heard a “whizzing sound.”
The shooter, reportedly a registered Republican, was believed to be working alone.
A video published by US outlet TMZ shows the alleged assailant lying on his belly on a sloping rooftop and aiming a rifle. A quick succession of gunshots is heard followed by screams from off-camera Trump supporters attending the rally.
The suspect’s father Matthew Crooks told CNN that he was trying to establish “what the hell is going on”, and would not comment until he spoke to law enforcement.
The shocking incident inevitably raised questions about security, and how a presidential candidate could be targeted by a gunman around 150m away despite a huge Secret Service detail.
US Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi rejected “absolutely false” claims that it had refused additional protection for Trump ahead of the rally, saying that the agency had in fact recently added resources for him.
The FBI said in a news conference early on July 14 that it was “surprising” the gunman had been able to get off so many shots before he was spotted and “neutralised” by counter-snipers.
After multiple witnesses said they saw the gunman before the shooting and alerted authorities, Butler police said they had “responded to a number of reports of suspicious activity”.
A local prosecutor said on July 14 it was “surprising” that a shooter was able to position himself on the nearby rooftop to take his shot.
“I do know we had some law enforcement in that building, which is even more surprising that he was able to get up there,” said Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger.
Hours after the attack, the Oversight Committee in the Republican-led US House of Representatives summoned Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a hearing scheduled for July 22.
History of violence
Trump’s narrow escape has also sparked conspiracy theories and fingerpointing by Republicans, as an already tense run-up to the elections becomes increasingly febrile.
Possible Trump vice presidential pick J.D. Vance said Mr Biden’s “rhetoric” had “led directly” to the Trump attack.
The attack happened days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee
Trump was treated in hospital and could later be seen walking unaided from his plane, though his wounded ear was not facing the camera in video footage posted by his deputy communications director. The New York Times reported that he was staying the night in New Jersey.
The United States has a history of political violence.
