‘Unacceptable’: Local politicians react to Trump assassination attempt

Reactions poured in from local politicians after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Donald Trump’s campaign said in a statement that the former president was “fine”. The Secret Service said in a statement that “the former President is safe.”

At least one attendee was dead and two spectators were critically injured, authorities said.

“Political violence is wrong and I condemn it. I hope everyone who attended the rally is ok and I am glad the former president is safe,” Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote on social media.

Governor Maura Healey said political violence has “no place” in America.

1st District of Massachusetts Representative Richard Neal called the act of violence “unacceptable.”

“There is no place for violence in our country or in our politics, against any political leader or political party. It is always unacceptable and wrong. Praying that everyone is okay,” Representative Jim McGovern.

“Political violence in all forms is condemnable,” added Senator Ed Markey.

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley also condemned the violent deadly shooting.

“I am horrified by the violence we witnessed yesterday,” said WHIP Katherine Clark. “My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump, his family, and the attendees who were harmed.”Political violence is never acceptable and threatens our country’s most fundamental values. As deeply as Americans may disagree with one another, we are one people. We cannot allow our differences to erode peace and stability in America.”

The Massachusetts Republican Party also sounded off on the shooting.

“The Massachusetts Republican Party extends its deepest and sincerest prayers to President Trump, his family, and the United States of America. Like every American, we are outraged, horrified, and deeply concerned. We are learning the details of the shooting in real time. For now, we emphasize that as Americans, we must not become so entrenched in division that we forget we are all brothers and sisters under the American flag. Whether Democrat or Republican, despite our differences, we all desire peace and prosperity for our nation. Political violence is intolerable, and we must unify as a nation to condemn this horrible incident. We expect justice for this heinous act and pray for President Trump’s swift recovery,” read a statement from the organization.

Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said in a phone interview that the suspected gunman was dead and at least one rally attendee was killed.

Those out on the streets of Boston Saturday night expressed shock to Boston 25 reporter Daniel Coates.

“Pretty crazy. You’d think with the amount of security these days that kind of stuff would be really reduced if not eliminated especially with big political figures on either side,” one man told Boston 25 News.

“I’m scared. I’m totally scared,” one woman remarked.

“Kinda shows a divide in the country a little bit,” another man added. “Crazy situation. It’s just one of those things you hear and second guess like ‘Did that really happen?’”

Bay Staters react to reported assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump Bay Staters react to reported assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump

Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens Monday when bangs started ringing through the crowd.

Someone can be heard saying near the microphone at Trump’s lectern, “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” as agents tackled the former president.

Trump could later be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face. There appeared to be blood on his face.

He quickly ducked behind the riser as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage.

The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.

His motorcade has since left the venue.

Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage in what local officers described as a crime scene.

The Secret Service said it killed the suspected shooter — who it said attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue, a farm show in Butler, Pennsylvania — and that Trump was safe.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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