Some former US Presidents and Nigerian leader have in unison spoken against assassination attempt on the life of former US President, Donald Trump.
Joe Biden, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu joined several other leaders in the world to condemn the attack, wishing Trump speedy recovery.
Trump was rushed off the stage just minutes into his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13, after gunshots were fired towards him.
Secret service officials say Trump is currently safe and is expected to survive. He had blood on the side of his head and his ear.
Also read: 2024 Presidency: Trump raises red flags in his re-election bid
In the rally, as Trump was speaking, gunshots were heard. Then Trump reached for the side of his face as popping sounds rang out over the rally.
Secret Service officials then shouted at Trump to get down as they rushed the stage and surrounded him. He was quickly escorted into a vehicle, walking off the stage with agents on all sides.
In their X account (formerly Twitter handle), President Biden wrote ‘‘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.
Biden @POTUS penned ‘‘Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.’’
Former US President, George W. Bush says he is “grateful” that former President Donald Trump is safe.
“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response,” Bush said in his statement.
US president and Trump’s opponent in the coming election, Joe Biden, wished Trump quick recovery.
“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden wrote. “I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well.”
Barack Obama in his X handle wrote ‘‘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.
Obama @BarackObama added ‘‘Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.’’
Bill Clinton @BillClinton penned ‘‘Violence has no place in America, especially in our political process.
‘‘Hillary and I are thankful that President Trump is safe, heartbroken for all those affected by the attack at today’s rally in Pennsylvania, and grateful for the swift action of the U.S. Secret Service.’’
Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT wrote ‘‘The attack on former President Donald Trump is distasteful and goes beyond the pale of democratic norms. Violence has no place in democracy. I extend my sympathies to the former President and wish him relief. I also condole with the family of the deceased and those wounded and wish them a quick recovery. Nigeria stands in solidarity with the United States of America at this time.’’
Trump’s attempted assassin killed
The gunman who fired shots at former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has been identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
“The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the Bureau said in a statement.
“This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online at FBI.gov/butler or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper at the rally, officials said.
“We do not currently have an identified motive,” said Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge, at a briefing Saturday night.
Federal investigators said the gunman was not carrying identification, so they analyzed his DNA to provide a biometric confirmation of his identity.
Trump was shot at during a rally in Pennsylvania. He was quickly bundled off stage and into a waiting vehicle and has since returned home to New Jersey.
In a post to his Truth Social network, Trump said a bullet pierced the “upper part” of his right ear.
Earlier, his spokesperson said he was receiving treatment at a local medical centre.
“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. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
Donald Trump led out of the rally grounds by secret service
Blood was clearly visible on Trump’s ear and face as protection officers rushed him away.
The suspect was shot dead at the scene by US Secret Service officers, the agency’s spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said.
He added that one bystander was killed in the shooting and two others were critically injured. All three victims were male.
