Editor’s note: This is a breaking and developing story. It will be updated.
Former President Donald Trump appeared to have blood on his face and was rushed to a hospital by the U.S. Secret Service following an apparent shooting during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
A spokesman for the Secret Service said Trump was safe after “an incident,” and a Trump campaign spokesman said the former president was “fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”
Numerous national news reports on Saturday evening indicated the suspected shooter was deceased, a rally attendee was deceased, and at least one more attendee was rushed to the hospital following the incident.
A nation closely following the 2024 presidential election — including Mississippi’s elected officials and other prominent public figures — responded to the news on Saturday evening.
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.
This is my President. Please pray for him. This is an attack on the country and every citizen’s right to free and fair elections. pic.twitter.com/kMpAkoMFmS
Praying for President Trump and the first responders. May God protect them and give them strength. pic.twitter.com/ymEuxFB87V
— Secretary Michael Watson (@MichaelWatsonMS) July 13, 2024
There is no room in American democracy for political violence. I am grateful for law enforcement’s fast response to this incident.
I am glad the former President is safe, and my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.
— Bennie G. Thompson (@BennieGThompson) July 13, 2024
State Rep. Robert Johnson of Natchez, the Democratic leader of the Mississippi House: “We need to find a way to become less strident, less divisive. This kind of atmosphere is not good for our country.”
Political violence is terrifying. I know.
I’m holding former President Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable—never.
There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. 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.…
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. I thank God that former President Trump is safe.
As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those…
I pray that Donald Trump and all who attended the rally are safe. There is no place for political violence, or violence of any kind, against our fellow Americans – and as a Party, we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. First responders and the Secret Service responded…
