Republican and Democratic politicians across Illinois and the nation condemned the shooting Saturday at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania that left the suspected gunman and at least one attendee dead, two critically injured, and Trump being whisked off the stage with blood on his right ear and face.
Trump said in a statement that a bullet hit the upper part of his right ear. A Trump spokesperson said earlier that the presumptive GOP presidential nominee is “fine and being checked out at a local medical facility” while the Secret Service said in a statement that “the former President is safe.”
“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 said in a statement on social media site Truth Social.
While Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden are expected to face off in November, politicians from both parties from across the nation and in Illinois said they were glad Trump was not seriously hurt and denounced the violence.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said in a statement on X, the social media site formerly called Twitter. “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.”
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.
Jill and I are grateful to the Secret…
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 13, 2024
Former President Barack Obama of Illinois said, “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.”
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.…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 13, 2024
The shooting happened as Trump, who is expected to be nominated Thursday at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the RNC.
Late Saturday, Trump’s campaign said in an emailed statement that Trump “looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States.”
Kathy Salvi, the chairwoman-elect for the Illinois Republican Party, said the state’s GOP was “united and stand(s)” with Trump.
“We express our full support for President Trump and his family,” she said on X. “We appreciate the prompt response by law enforcement and the Secret Service.”
Statement from Chairwoman-Elect Kathy Salvi:
“The Republicans of Illinois are united and stand with President Trump. We express our full support for President Trump and his family. We appreciate the prompt response by law enforcement and the Secret Service.”
— IL Republican Party (@ILGOP) July 13, 2024
Former state Sen. Darren Bailey, the unsuccessful 2022 GOP governor candidate who was endorsed by Trump, said on X, “If this man does not win in November, this country will change forever… God Bless President Trump! PRAY!!!”
If this man does not win in November, this country will change forever…
God Bless President Trump!
PRAY!!! pic.twitter.com/ybBVBxGxva— Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) July 13, 2024
Bailey is a downstate Trump delegate to the Republican National Convention.
U.S. Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro, who was endorsed by Trump in winning a March GOP congressional primary challenge against Bailey, also said on X that he and his wife “are praying for President Donald Trump.”
“God Bless President Trump and the Secret Service officers involved,” Bost said.
Bost, like Bailey, is a Trump convention delegate.
Tracy and I are praying for President Donald Trump after shots were fired at his campaign rally in Pennsylvania. We are closely monitoring this situation. God Bless President Trump and the Secret Service officers involved.
— Mike Bost (@BostForCongress) July 13, 2024
In a statement to the Tribune, Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie said, “today is a terrible day for our nation.”
“The deepening political divide is dangerous and any political violence is unacceptable,” she added. “Gunshots cannot silence our collective need for change. Our thoughts and prayers are with President Trump and others injured in today’s heinous act. We must come together to condemn violence and seek unity as a country.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement on X that “violence is never the answer in our democracy,” a sentiment echoed by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
“I am closely monitoring the situation and praying for former President Trump’s recovery,” Pritzker said.
Violence is never the answer in our democracy.
I am closely monitoring the situation and praying for former President Trump's recovery. Thankful to the Secret Service for their quick response.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) July 13, 2024
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth posted that there is “no excuse — and no place whatsoever— for violence in American politics. … I am keeping Donald Trump in my thoughts and hoping he has a swift and full recovery.”
There is absolutely no excuse—and no place whatsoever—for violence in American politics, and those responsible for this must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I am keeping Donald Trump in my thoughts and hoping he has a swift and full recovery.
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) July 13, 2024
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin also said he’s keeping the former president in his thoughts, and sent his thanks to law enforcement for keeping attendees safe.
Political violence is never acceptable.
I’m keeping the former president, the bystander who was tragically killed, and all who were injured or whose safety was threatened in my thoughts.
Sending my deepest thanks to law enforcement for helping keep those in attendance safe.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) July 14, 2024
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wrote that “political violence is never acceptable.” The Democratic National Convention is set to kick off in Chicago next month.
I wish Donald Trump a swift recovery. I am grateful to the first responders and law enforcement officers on the scene who acted quickly.
Let me be crystal clear: Political violence is never acceptable.
— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) July 13, 2024
Nationally, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, three men on Trump’s shortlist for vice president, all quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president, with Rubio sharing an image taken as Trump was escorted off stage with his fist in the air and a streak of blood on his face along with the words “God protected President Trump.”
Tribune reporters Rick Pearson and Olivia Olander and the Associated Press contributed.
