Responses from Washington state politicians poured in following the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Trump suffered a gun wound to his ear after a shooter — identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks — opened fire from a rooftop in Butler, Pennsylvania. After firing, Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper.
While Trump was released from the hospital Saturday, one attendee — firefighter Corey Comperatore — was killed in the gunfire after reportedly diving on top of his family to protect them. Two other attendees were injured.
In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Trump noted how differently the assassination attempt could have ended had he not turned his head to look at a screen during the speech.
“That reality is just setting in,” Trump said. “I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?”
As shots rang out, Trump fell to the ground surrounded by Secret Service. As he was whisked off stage, Trump repeatedly held his fist in the air and shouted “fight” in a scene that is sure to become a defining image of the time.
The shooting came days before Trump will be formally nominated by the Republican Party at a party convention in Milwaukee. While he initially considered cutting his time in Milwaulkee short, Trump arrived at the convention Sunday evening.
Following the shooting, politicians from throughout the political spectrum have sought to cool political rhetoric ahead of a contentious general election campaign.
“While we may disagree, we are not enemies. We’re neighbors. We’re friends, coworkers, citizens. And, most importantly, we are fellow Americans. And we must stand together,” President Joe Biden said from the Oval Office during a national address Sunday night.
In the speech, Biden said he had spoken to Trump.
“We cannot — we must not go down this road in America. We’ve traveled it before throughout our history. Violence has never been the answer, whether it’s with members of Congress in both parties being targeted in the shot, or a violent mob attacking the Capitol on January 6, or a brutal attack on the spouse of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, or information and intimidation on election officials, or the kidnapping plot against a sitting governor, or an attempted assassination on Donald Trump,” Biden said. “There is no place in America for this kind of violence or for any violence ever. Period. No exceptions. We can’t allow this violence to be normalized.”
Trump, who announced Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, as his running mate on Monday afternoon, has made few public comments since the assassination attempt.
In a post Sunday morning, Trump said the country must “remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness.”
“Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” Trump said on Truth Social. ”I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”
In the interview with the Washington Examiner, Trump said he planned to rewrite his entire acceptance speech.
“It is a chance to bring the country together. I was given that chance,” he said.
Here’s what state politicians had to say:
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee: “Violence has no place in politics, ever. I hope whoever perpetrated today’s attack is held to account. Our thoughts are with all who attended the former president’s event, and I join the many others who are expressing gratitude for the Secret Service and first responders.”
Republican Washington gubernatorial candidate Dave Reichert: "Praying for President Trump, all in attendance, and for our country."
Democratic Washington gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson: "I condemn this act of violence against former President Donald Trump in the strongest possible terms. As a nation we must come together."
Republican Washington gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird: “The extent to which the elite extremists will go in order to maintain power and control of government has never been clearer. They will attack a man, try to ruin a man, and today, we witnessed the attempted murder of the man. This is not the time to compromise, capitulate or surrender our constitutional right to self govern. We the people must stand united and become the change that we need for our nation and our state.
Democratic Washington gubernatorial candidate Mark Mullet: "My heart is broken by the senseless and horrific act of political violence targeting Trump. Our family is praying for those impacted, their families and the victims of this shooting. All of us must recommit ourselves to the highest values of our nation and democracy: fighting violent extremism and hate in all of its forms. There is no place for this in our nation. Full stop."
Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell: "There is no place for political violence in America. None. I'm glad former President Trump is safe. My prayers are with everyone at the rally, and their families, who have been impacted by this violence. Those responsible must be held accountable. I am grateful to the Secret Service and first responders."
Washington Sen. Patty Murray: "Violence begets violence, and leaders from all walks of life should forcefully reject violence in all its forms in the strongest possible terms. Political violence, though, is a direct assault on our democracy—no matter what the political beliefs of the perpetrator might be. As we mourn for the father who was killed and hope for the full recovery of those who were injured, we should all be grateful for the safety of former President Donald Trump—for the sake of his family and loved ones and for the country.
“We can only be credible and effective in refuting political violence if we are clear and consistent—which is why in this moment, it is not enough for anyone to condemn the attack on former President Trump if they still refuse to condemn the political violence that has been incited or condoned by Trump and his allies. Donald Trump incited a violent mob that attempted to overturn the results of a free and fair election on January 6th, he openly ridiculed the heinous assault on Paul Pelosi, and he brazenly directed far-right extremists to ‘stand back and standby’—anyone who is turning a blind eye to Trump’s ceaseless rhetoric is doing this country a grave disservice. Just today, the former President called January 6th a hoax—I was there on January 6th, and I could hear the banging on the doors of my office. I will not let the history of that day be rewritten. It was an attack on our very democracy—a violent one.”
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania: “I am praying for the health and safety of former President Donald Trump and everyone else in Butler, and I hope the perpetrator of this heinous act is swiftly apprehended by law enforcement. There is no room in America for political violence of any kind, against anyone, for any reason.”
Congressional candidate Republican Joe Kent: “Watching Dems feign outrage over the assassination attempt on Trump is disgusting but on brand. This is the Dem playbook, all they care about is power. This won’t stop, they are desperate because we are winning. Stay vigilant & focus on victory at the ballot box in November.”
Congressional candidate Republican Leslie Lewallen: "Brian and I continue to pray for President Trump and all of those who were injured at the rally in Butler yesterday. My heart breaks for Corey Comperatore and his family. He was a hero who was senselessly killed while being a part of our political process. There is absolutely no place for political violence in our country. President Trump has withstood every type of attack and our country is blessed that he continues to fight for us."
Washington GOP Chairman state Rep. Jim Walsh: "Today is a dark day for the United States of America. The assassination attempt on President Trump is a reminder that the incessant and incendiary rhetoric from the radical left and the mainstream media has dire consequences. It has no place in political discourse. We pray for America. We pray for President Trump and his family. And we mourn the loss of the innocent bystander."
Jaime Herrera Beutler, former U.S. representative, Republican candidate for commissioner of public lands: "Praying for President Trump and for those at the rally today. I am sickened. Thank you to law enforcement and Secret Service for acting so quickly."
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Bellevue: "Political violence is inexcusable. It must always be condemned in the strongest possible terms whenever it happens or is threatened. My thoughts are with the former President, his family, and his staff."
U.S. Rep Suzan DelBene, D-Medina: "Praying for the safety of former President Trump and everyone in Butler. I'm grateful to the first responders & Secret Service for their quick actions & response. Violence of any kind is unacceptable. It has no place in our nation or our politics."
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle: "The United States is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is completely unacceptable and I am horrified by the events in Pennsylvania today."
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane: "Political violence has absolutely no place in the United States of America. My prayers are with President Trump, his family, and everyone at today's event."
U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside: "Today's assassination attempt on Donald Trump is appalling & has no place in American politics. I am grateful President Trump's injuries are not serious and hold him & his family in our prayers. I offer my thanks to the law enforcement officers whose swift response saved lives."
U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D- Sammamish: "I am horrified by the news coming out of Pennsylvania today. There is no place in this country or anywhere else for political violence. I am praying for the victims and their families, and I am deeply grateful for the swift action of the Secret Service and local law enforcement."
Tiffany Smiley, Republican Candidate for 4th Congressional district: “In 2017, I worked with President Trump at the White House on VA reform. In 2018, Scotty and I spoke with him at the National Prayer Breakfast. Today, we’re praying for President Trump, the victims in attendance and their families. Our president showed extraordinary courage under fire, and I’m thankful God protected him. We will not fear, but rise together because we live in the greatest country on earth.”
