Former President Donald Trump confirmed he was shot in the ear Saturday during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and that “much bleeding took place” afterward.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Trump wrote on Truth Social hours after the attack. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Trump offered his condolences to the family of the spectator who was killed in the shooting, as well as to the family of another spectator who authorities said was critically injured. The former president said he did not have information about the identity of the shooter but confirmed that the shooter was dead.
“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 said.
After gunshots interrupted Trump’s campaign rally on Saturday, the former president was seen grabbing his ear and diving behind his podium. Secret Service agents rushed to get Trump off the stage while Trump pumped his fist in the air in defiance. Trump could be heard on the nearby microphone insisting that he retrieve his shoes before the agents evacuated him.
Agents rushed Trump into a nearby armored car, and his motorcade sped to a nearby hospital. His campaign said shortly afterward that the former president and presumptive GOP nominee was fine.
The Secret Service later said the shooter, who was killed by agents, fired on Trump from “an elevated position” outside the security perimeter of the rally. Eyewitnesses told reporters that the shooter appeared to be on the rooftop of a nearby building.
In a late night press conference, FBI special agent Kevin Rojek declared the shooting an attempted assassination of the former president, although they declined to reveal the identity of the shooter. Rojek declined to comment on whether there was a security failure to blame.
Lawmakers immediately began calling for an investigation into the how the shooter was able to get so close to killing a former president. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said he had already reached out to the Secret Service and would be inviting its director to appear for a hearing amid the “many questions” about the attack.
I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing. The Oversight Committee will send a formal invitation soon.
My prayers are with President Trump and the victims of the…
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) July 14, 2024
President Joe Biden spoke after the attack and condemned the political violence against his opponent. He stopped short of labeling the shooting an attempted assassination, saying he was waiting to learn more information.
Biden’s campaign suspended its political advertising in the wake of the attack.
Lawmakers and political leaders across the political spectrum offered an outpouring of support for Trump and the rallygoers who were killed or hurt in the shooting. Most decried the political violence that occurred and called for a moment of unity.
A Secret Service spokesman said two audience members were critically injured, in addition to the rallygoer who was killed. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims or the shooter.
The attack came less than 48 hours before the start of the Republican convention in Milwaukee, where Trump will formally receive the party’s presidential nomination. His campaign and the Republican National Committee confirmed that he will still attend the convention next week and that the event will proceed as planned.
