Biden, Trump Urge For 'National Unity' After Assassination Attempt On Ex-Prez Stuns US
Biden said he would address the nation from the Oval Office later in the day, a step only taken at times of grave crisis.
Following an assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump, the Republican leader and his Democrat rival Joe Biden on Sunday urged Americans to show unity. The attack on Trump has put America on edge in the run-up to the presidential election and was being investigated as a potential act of domestic terrorism, as well as a massive security failure.
Trump, 78, survived the attempt on his life on Saturday when a 20-year-old shooter fired multiple shots at him at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, injuring his right ear. The shooting, which left one spectator dead and two others critically injured, was carried out by the shooter with a legally bought semi-automatic rifle, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Biden's Message
US President Joe Biden on Sunday described the attack on Donald Trump as an “assassination attempt” and appealed for national unity, a day after the shooting on the former president shocked the entire world.
Biden said he would address the nation from the Oval Office later in the day, a step only taken at times of grave crisis, according to a report by news agency AFP.
“As I said last night, there is no place in America for this kind of violence or any violence for that matter, Biden said. 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 American. And we cannot allow this to happen,” the President said
"Unity is the most elusive goal of all, but nothing is more important than that right now. Unity. We’ll debate, and we’ll disagree, that’s not going to change. But we’ll not lose sight of who we are as Americans," Biden added in brief remarks from the White House, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and his homeland security chief.
The 81-year-old Democrat, who returned from his weekend vacation in Delaware at midnight, said he had a "short but good conversation" on Saturday with Trump, his political nemesis whom he regularly brands as a threat to democracy.
Biden said the FBI is leading the investigation that is still in its early stages and the motives of the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, remained unknown and urged people not to make assumptions about his "afflations."
“We don’t yet have any information about the motive of the shooter. We know who he is. I urge everyone, everyone, please, don’t make assumptions about his motives or affiliations. Let the FBI do their job and their partner agencies do their job,” he said.
President Biden said that he directed an independent review of national security at the election rally in Butler town to assess what happened and asserted that he instructed this investigation to be thorough and swift.
“As this investigation continues, here’s what we’re going to do. First Mr Trump as a former president and nominee of the Republican Party already receives 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...Second, I’ve directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures, all the security measures for the Republican National Convention which is scheduled to start tomorrow,” he said.
“And third, I’ve directed an independent review of the national security at yesterday’s rally to assess exactly what happened. And we will share the results of that independent review with the American people as well, he said. And finally, I’ll be speaking more about this tonight at greater length from the Oval Office,” Biden added.
Trump's Call
A day after being rushed from the stage by Secret Service agents with blood streaked across his face, Trump made a similar call.
"In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United," Trump said in a statement on his Truth Social network, adding that Americans should not allow "Evil to win." The tycoon said that it was "God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening" and that he would "FEAR NOT."
Trump's wife Melania called the shooter a "monster."
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