In a rare display of bipartisan unity, Democratic leaders across the political spectrum have come together to condemn the recent shooting incident at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. President Joe Biden, alongside former President Barack Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, expressed their relief at Trump’s safety and unequivocally denounced political violence.
President Biden, who was promptly briefed on the situation, conveyed his gratitude that Trump and attendees were unharmed. “I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden stated, emphasizing the need for unity and calm in these trying times.
“It’s sick, it’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” he said, speaking from Delaware. “We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this, we cannot condone this.”
Biden added that he’s tried to get in touch with Trump, noting that the former president is with his doctors and appears to be doing well.
Former President Obama echoed Biden’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic values. “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy,” Obama asserted. “Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.”
Speaker Pelosi, whose own family has experienced the impact of political violence, spoke passionately against the incident. “As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society,” she declared. “I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer joined the chorus of condemnation, emphasizing his horror at the event and reaffirming that “political violence has no place in our country.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also offered his prayers for Trump’s safety and commended law enforcement’s swift response. “My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response,” Jeffries stated. “America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.”
This unified response from Democratic leaders underscores a commitment to national unity and respect for democratic principles, transcending political differences to condemn violence in all its forms.