Donald Trump was in Milwaukee on Monday, finalizing preparations for the Republican presidential nomination later this week, after narrowly surviving an assassination attempt. Trump, 78, emphasized this incident as an opportunity to unify the country.
The former president was at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania—a crucial state for the November 5 election—when a 20-year-old man armed with an AR-15-style rifle fired at Trump from a rooftop. The bullet grazed Trump’s upper right ear, causing minor injuries. His campaign reported that he was fine.
“Had I not looked away from the crowd at that moment, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Trump told the Washington Examiner on Sunday.
One rally attendee was killed, and two others were injured before Secret Service agents fatally shot the suspect.
Both Trump and President Joe Biden urged calm and unity in their statements on Sunday, addressing a nation deeply divided by the ongoing presidential race. Biden, speaking from the Oval Office, condemned the violence, stating, “There is no place in America for this kind of violence.”
Trump arrived in Milwaukee on Sunday, showing resilience and determination. “This is a chance to bring the whole country together,” he told the Washington Examiner, hinting that his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday would reflect this sentiment.
In response to the attack, Biden ordered a review of how the gunman could get so close to Trump, who receives lifetime protection from the US Secret Service. Biden and Trump spoke on Saturday night, and First Lady Jill Biden contacted former First Lady Melania Trump on Sunday.
Polls, including those by Reuters/Ipsos, indicate a close election race between Trump and Biden. The assassination attempt shifted the campaign discourse, previously focused on whether Biden, 81, should withdraw following a lackluster debate performance on June 27.
The FBI identified the suspect as Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, and is treating the incident as an attempted assassination. FBI officials confirmed that Crooks acted alone, without any apparent ideological or mental health issues and no threatening language found on his social media accounts.
Crooks, a registered Republican, had donated to a Democratic political action committee at age 17 and worked as a dietary aide at a nursing home. The AR-15-style rifle was legally purchased by his father. A suspicious device found in his vehicle was rendered safe by bomb technicians.
The Secret Service denied allegations that it had rejected requests for additional security for Trump, stating that it had recently enhanced protective measures for him. Following the attempt, the Republican-led US House Oversight Committee summoned Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify on July 22.
The shots appeared to come from outside the secured area, according to the Secret Service. The rally attendee who was killed was identified as Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania. Two others injured, David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, are in stable condition.
Residents of Bethel Park expressed shock at the news, highlighting the political tension in the country. “It just shows the political dynamic that we’re in right now,” said local resident Wes Morgan.
This incident marks the first shooting of a US president or major presidential candidate since the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. Rising political violence is a significant concern for Americans, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll in May showing two-thirds of respondents fearing post-election violence. The January 6, 2021, Capitol riot following Trump’s loss in the 2020 election underscores these fears.
