The Midwest is in shock after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The incident happened on Saturday when Trump was just minutes into his speech. He suddenly stopped speaking, grabbed his right ear, and ducked behind the podium as gunshots rang out. Thousands of supporters watched in horror.
According to reports, Trump was struck in the right ear by a bullet, resulting in visible bleeding. The Secret Service quickly surrounded him, and he raised his fist before being taken off the stage. Tragically, one person was killed and several others injured during the shooting.
On Sunday, Trump posted a message on Truth Social, expressing his gratitude for the support and crediting divine intervention for his survival. “Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” he wrote. “We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness.”
The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was on a nearby rooftop. He was shot and killed by law enforcement officers. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Hindsboro, expressed her sorrow and called for prayers for Trump and the nation. “We pray for God’s grace over our nation after today’s assassination attempt on President Trump,” Miller posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I am heartbroken to hear an attendee was killed. President Trump, covered in blood, fist in the air, showed the strength and resilience that has defined him his entire life.”
The fatal victim was identified as Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old man from Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania. He died after the gunman opened fire.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia, D-Chicago, also condemned the violence. “Violence is never the answer,” Garcia wrote on social media. “I wish former President Trump a speedy recovery and I’m saddened by the loss of life of an innocent spectator.”
Illinois U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, issued a statement condemning the violence and praying for those injured and killed. He called for a thorough investigation and oversight on the Secret Service. “Like many Americans, I am deeply concerned by the rise in violence against government officials and candidates,” LaHood said. “Political violence of any kind is wholly unacceptable and has no place in our country. As we head to November, elected officials, the media, and we as Americans have an obligation to elevate the discourse and lower the temperature.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a vocal critic of Trump, also emphasized the importance of non-violence in a democracy. “Violence is never the answer in our democracy,” Pritzker wrote on X. “I am closely monitoring the situation and praying for former President Trump’s recovery. Thankful to the Secret Service for their quick response.”
Illinois state Rep. Adam Neimerg, R-Dieterich, stated that the hatred directed at Trump has “gone too far.” He urged for an end to the violent rhetoric against Trump. “The hatred for President Trump on social media and in the mainstream media needs to stop immediately because what happened today is the end result of the hateful rhetoric,” Neimerg said. “The only positive takeaway from today is the resilience of President Trump. He has been impeached, charged with bogus crimes, and convicted on those same bogus charges, and now he has been shot but through it all he is still standing.”
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul released a statement urging that no one should politicize the tragedy. “I commend the men and women of the United States Secret Service for their heroic swift response,” Raoul said. “This tragedy should be a reminder that we should work continuously to prevent acts of targeted violence.”
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Republicans are set to meet for their national convention in Milwaukee this week. Notably, Milwaukee is also where former President Theodore Roosevelt survived an attempted assassination during a political speech in 1912.
