INDIANAPOLIS — A shooting unfolded at former United States President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
According to previous reporting, Trump appeared to be the target of an assassination attempt. The 45th President of the U.S. was checked out at a medical facility after the shooting and is “fine,” according to a campaign spokesperson. In a post on Truth Social, Trump indicated the upper part of his right ear was pierced by a bullet.
The Associated Press has reported that an alleged gunman and one spectator died during the shooting. The U.S. Secret Service confirmed two other rally attendees were critically injured during the incident.
Soon after Trump was whisked off the rally’s stage, Indiana’s politicians began to react to the shooting.
Former Indiana Governor Mike Pence, who was Trump’s vice president from 2016-20, took to X to comment on the incident.
“Karen and I are praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us,” Pence wrote.
U.S. Senators Todd Young and Mike Braun also used X to make statements. Braun, who is also running for governor in Indiana, wrote “Pray for President Trump, his family, and our country.”
“A terrifying scene at President Trump’s event this afternoon,” Young wrote. “Praying that he and all in attendance are OK and that calm will prevail. Violence is never the answer.”
Like their Republican counterparts, many Democrats issued statements condemning the alleged shooter’s actions.
“Political violence is never he answer,” Congressman Andre Carson of Indiana’s seventh district wrote on X. “I’m glad to hear former President Trump appears to be doing well. We cannot let this incite violence, on any side.
“I’m thankful for law enforcement’s quick response and am praying for everyone impacted.”
Joe Hogsett, the Democratic Mayor of Indianapolis, sent out the following statement:
The act of violence that occurred in Pennsylvania today only furthers the cycle of division that seems to be spinning out of control in our political discourse. It must stop.
We know that information will continue to come at us very quickly over these next few hours and days. In those hours and days, we are called to ask for God’s mercy. No matter our individual faith, may God help us to speak and act in ways that demonstrate the compassion and love that we are commanded to embody.
We join in praying for President Trump and all who have been impacted by today’s incident, including the law enforcement officers who took decisive action to protect others. No form of violence is acceptable on our streets, in our classrooms, or in American democracy.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett
Victoria Spartz, the U.S. Representative for Indiana’s fifth congressional district kept her message simple on X, writing, “Praying for President Trump,” with an American flag emoji included in the post.
Some Indiana Democrats who were participating in the party’s state convention on Saturday took breaks during the event to recognize the gravity of the situation at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally. Destiny Wells, who was nominated to take on Republican incumbent Todd Rokita in November’s race for Indiana Attorney General, released the following statement:
I condemn the violence at the rally in Pennsylvania today. Violence is never the answer, and I am thankful that Mr. Trump is unhurt but I am terribly disturbed by the gun violence that plagues our communities every day.
Indiana Attorney General candidate Destiny Wells
For more information on the shooting at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania, click here.
