President Joe Biden on Sunday announced a comprehensive review and independent investigation following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Speaking from the White House, Biden shared details of his conversation with Trump Saturday evening and outlined the steps being taken to address the incident. “I spoke with Donald Trump. I’m just really grateful that he’s doing well and recovering. We had a short but good conversation, and we’re keeping him and his family in our prayers,” Biden said.
Biden emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “As I said last night, there is no place in America for this kind of violence or any violence for that matter. The assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation. It’s not who we are, and we cannot allow this to happen.”
Trump’s shooting has sparked scrutiny of U.S. Secret Service and prompted questions about how the shooter, who has since been identified by authorities as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to obtain rooftop access at a building outside the security perimeter roughly 150 meters from Trump’s position at the podium during the outdoor rally.
In response to the assassination attempt on Trump, Biden said he has directed heightened security measures for the former president and a review of security protocols for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“Mr. Trump, as a former president and nominee of the Republican Party, already receives a heightened level of security. I’ve been consistent in my direction to the Secret Service to provide him with every resource and protective measure necessary to ensure his continued safety,” Biden said, adding that he directed the head of the Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to start Monday.
In addition to these measures, there will be an “independent review” of the security at the rally to assess exactly what happened, Biden said, emphasizing that “We’ll share the results of that independent review with the American people.”
Biden also provided updates on the investigation. “The FBI is leading this investigation, which is still in its early stages. We don’t yet have any information about the motive of the shooter. We know who he is, but I urge everyone not to make assumptions about his motives or affiliations. The FBI and their partner agencies are doing their job, and I’ve instructed that this investigation be thorough and swift.”
The Secret Service has said there were four counter-sniper teams: two from the agency and two from local law enforcement on the ground. The agency has also said Cheatle was in Milwaukee at the time of the shooting, where this week’s RNC event is being held.
The shooting has been described by sources as coming from the “three o’clock” position of Trump’s podium location, with shots coming from his right side, according to CNN. After gunfire began, counter-snipers began shooting at the suspect who was found dead on the roof of an American Glass Research building outside the perimeter of the rally.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has vowed for a “full investigation” of the shooting into several agencies under the executive branch.
The president on Sunday praised the efforts of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies, highlighting their bravery in protecting the nation. “The Secret Service agencies and other law enforcement individuals risked their lives literally for our nation,” he said.
Biden also reiterated the importance of unity, especially in the face of such violence. “Unity is the most elusive goal of all, but nothing is more important than that right now. We may debate and disagree, but we must not lose sight of who we are as Americans,” he urged.
The president extended his “deepest condolences” to the family of the victim who was killed, Corey Comparatore, whose family praised him as a “hero” after he covered them as he was shot by the now-deceased perpetrator.
“He was a father, protecting his family from the bullets being fired. They lost his life, and our thoughts are also with those who are injured,” Biden said.
Biden expected to give his third address to the nation on the subject of the attack Sunday evening during an Oval Office speech at 8 p.m. EST.
Before Biden spoke Sunday afternoon, the White House announced his trip to Austin, Texas, on Monday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum and be interviewed by NBC’s Lester Holt will now happen in Washington, D.C. on Monday.
He is scheduled to be in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday and Wednesday for NAACP and UNIDOS events, but his campaign has temporarily suspended outgoing communications and ads. A Democratic National Committee-Biden campaign reception at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sunday was canceled.
Earlier Sunday, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed in the White House Situation Room on the shooting by Attorney General Merrick Garland, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and U.S. Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, in addition to national security adviser Jake Sullivan and homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.
White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, vice presidential chief of staff Lorraine Voles, top aide Steve Ricchetti, and White House Counsel Ed Siskel were also in the bunker.
Biden returned to the White House late Saturday after first addressing the nation from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he had planned on spending the weekend.
“There is no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. It is one of the reasons we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this,” Biden said Saturday.
When asked whether he believed it was an assassination attempt, Biden told reporters traveling with him that he had “an opinion but I don’t have any facts.”
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In a prior statement, he and first lady Jill Biden expressed their relief that Trump had survived the attack and that he was “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,” the president wrote. “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety.”
