Former President Donald Trump has been released from the hospital after surviving an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania.
During the event, gunshots were fired, hitting Trump’s ear, prompting the Secret Service to swiftly escort him off the stage. The perpetrator, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Pennsylvania, was subsequently killed by law enforcement.
Tragically, one attendee lost their life in the incident, while two others remain in critical condition, according to law enforcement sources cited by NBC News.
Video footage captured the moment Trump reacted to the gunfire, clutching his ear and falling to the ground. Quick-thinking Secret Service agents surrounded him and safely transported him to his vehicle. Blood could be seen on the right side of his head.
President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Saturday evening, condemning the violence and emphasizing that such acts have no place in the United States.
Originally planning to spend the weekend in Delaware, Biden altered his plans and returned to Washington later in the evening.
Leaders are speaking out across the country and abroad. The Georgia Democracy Resilience Network, a bipartisan organization supported by The Carter Center, came into existence a few years ago to bring civility to American democracy, released the following statement,
“The Democracy Resilience Network condemns today’s violence targeting former President Trump in the strongest terms. Acknowledging that we do not yet have all the facts, we are nevertheless deeply concerned at what appears to be a politically motivated incident. Our thoughts are with President Trump and all those affected by this act of violence.”
The organization works weekly to engage citizens and local leaders from varying political backgrounds who believe violence has no place in American politics. The group includes prominent Republicans and Democrats in Georgia. In the previous gubernatorial election, both Governor Brian P. Kemp (Rep) and challenger Stacy Abrams (Dem), signed the GA DRN’s pledge for civility in the aftermath of the election.
The group is active and welcomes participants regardless of political background. Those who are interested can get more information or join at www.GeorgiaDRN.org.
