Donald Trump’s Assassination Attempt Prompts Joe Biden To Increase Security

On Saturday, a gunman at a Pennsylvania rally attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. While Trump walked away with minimal injury as the bullet grazed his right ear, one bystander was killed. Secret Service also shot and killed the gunman, who was later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks.

Hours after the incident, President Joe Biden addressed the nation, expressing his gratitude to the Secret Service for getting Trump to safety. On Sunday, he has once again spoken out, commenting on a “heightened level of security.”

Sunday afternoon, after encouraging the public not to speculate about the alleged motivations of the shooter at the Trump rally, Joe Biden detailed his administration’s plans while the investigation into the incident is ongoing:

“Mr Trump, as a former president and nominee of the Republican party, already received a heightened level of security and I’ve been consistent in my direction of the Secret Service to provide him with every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure his continued safety,” Joe Biden said, per The Guardian.

“Second, I’ve directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures for … the Republican national convention, which is scheduled to start tomorrow,” he added.

“And third, I’ve directed an independent review of national security at yesterday’s rally to assess exactly what happened, and we’ll share the results of that independent review with the American people as well,” Biden said.

He will also address the nation from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. ET.

When speaking to reporters on Sunday from the Roosevelt Room at the White House, President Biden said he had a “short but good conversation” with Trump after the attempted assassination.

“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” he said Saturday evening after the incident. “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 later stated, “An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation — everything. It’s not who we are as a nation. It’s not America, and we cannot allow this to happen. Unity is the most elusive goal of all, but nothing is more important than that right now.”

One rallygoer was killed in the incident, with two others injured. They remain in critical condition as of 1:42 p.m. local time.

Secret Service also killed the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthews Crooks, on the scene.

Law enforcement found an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle at the site of the attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

“What I would say is, is a tragic incident that occurred. We’re not in a position to start second-guessing how or why or anything else at this point. Just know that it will be thoroughly investigated. If there is anyone to prosecute, that will be done and we’ll move forward,” Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said at a late-night news conference, per WTAE.

The firearm recovered at the scene was legally purchased by the suspect’s father.

Shortly after the gunshots were heard, the Secret Service put out a statement saying that they killed the shooter.

“A suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” the statement read in part, per WTAE. “U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured.”

The deceased rally attendee was later identified as Corey Comperatore, a former local fire chief, who “died a hero.”

“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday evening. “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”

“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening,” Trump added. “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”