Area officials reacted strongly to what authorities are calling an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, who is again seeking the nation’s highest office, condemning the act of violence Saturday that sent attendees at a Pennsylvania rally scrambling for their lives.
In statements released on social media in the hours after the shooting, in which Trump’s ear was nicked by gunfire, one rally attendee was killed and two were critically injured before the Secret Service killed the suspect, officials from both political parties also said their thoughts were with Trump as he recovers.
“Violence has no place in our political discourse. I wish the former President and all impacted swift recoveries and thank all the members of the Secret Service and first responders for their heroic and immediate assistance in this matter,” said U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland.
Lake County Councilman Randy Niemeyer, who faces Mrvan on the November ballot, was likewise circumspect.
“I am appalled by the despicable assassination attempt on President Trump. This cowardly act of violence is an attack not only on President Trump but on the very fabric of our nation,” Niemeyer said. “Political violence has no place in our country, and those responsible must be brought to justice. My prayers are with President Trump, his family, and all who were put in harm’s way.”
The shooting took place Saturday evening as Trump was speaking at a rally at the fairgrounds in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 33 miles north of Pittsburgh, the Associated Press has reported. The gunman has been identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with President Trump and all in attendance at the rally in Pennsylvania (Saturday), especially the person killed and those injured, and their families, by this heinous act,” Michael Simpson, chair of the Porter County Republican Party, said.
Don Craft, chair of the Porter County Democratic Party, said in a statement to the Post-Tribune that he hopes the tone and rhetoric of the country change for the better in the aftermath of the shooting.
The country needs to be able to have sensible conversations and set aside tribal discourse and dialogue, Craft said, adding using extreme language can lead to extreme actions.
“I’m not a Trump fan but I wish him a speedy recovery and send him thoughts and prayers,” Craft said. “Unfortunately, in this first 24 hours, I’ve seen a rush on both sides of the political spectrum to the lowest common denominator of their base values.”
Some Democrats are upset the shooter missed, Craft said, while some Republicans are claiming divine intervention.
“Neither proclamation helps the country move forward or towards a more perfect union,” he said. “I would hope that this action would move the conversation forward on sensible gun laws and the mental health crisis, and overall political tones and rhetoric used by some from both sides of the political spectrum. I’m not sure if I’m a realist or a cynic to know that it will not.”
Jennifer McCormick, who’s running as a Democrat for Indiana governor, said she was praying for the former president and all who were impacted by the shooting.
“We don’t know details yet, but what we do know is violence can never be an option in our political discourse,” she said in a social media post.
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, the Republican candidate for Indiana governor, offered prayers for Trump, “his family, and our country” in his statement.
U.S. Sen. Todd Young called the assassination attempt during Trump’s rally a “terrifying scene” in his statement.
“Praying that he and all in attendance are OK and that calm will prevail. Violence is never the answer,” he said.
Officials closer to home weighed in as well. Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas and City Council President Robert Cotton issued a joint statement Monday condemning the act of violence.
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“We stand together as leaders of Valparaiso to condemn the violence against former President Donald Trump and those attending the rally in Pennsylvania. Such actions have no place in our society. Violence, regardless of its target, is unacceptable and counterproductive to the values we hold dear,” they said.
“We urge all residents of Valparaiso to come together in a spirit of unity, moderation and peace. In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to strive for peace and foster a community built on respect, understanding and cooperation,” the two continued. “Let us remain committed to upholding the principles of democracy and justice, and work towards a future where all individuals can express their views without fear of violence or retribution.”
Lake County Council President Christine Cid, D-5th, said in a statement that political violence cannot be tolerated.
“This should not happen to anybody, regardless of party or our differences,” Cid said, adding there is no place for violent rhetoric in political discourse.
Cid urged people to be patient and allow investigators to thoroughly do their work so a complete understanding of why and how the shooting took place can be established.
“No assumptions about the shooting should be made before the investigation is complete,” Cid said.
Cid said early news reports indicate the weapon used was apparently an assault-style rifle purchased legally in 2013 by the shooter’s father. It is the style of weapon used in the 2022 Uvalde school shooting.
It also is the type of weapon that was banned when the Federal Assault Weapons Ban went into effect in 1993. That ban was sunset in 2004, allowing for the legal purchase of this style rifle again.
“This is another incident for cause to take gun crime in America seriously,” Cid said. “The assassination attempt demonstrates the necessity of reopening the discussion on commonsense gun control legislation.”
The Associated Press contributed.