President Joe Biden has twice addressed the nation in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, calling for unity and urging Americans to refrain from making premature judgments about the incident.
On Sunday afternoon, Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and HHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, spoke about the attack that took place at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. He denounced the shooting, stating, “The assassination attempt against Trump is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation.” He assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure Trump’s safety, emphasizing the heightened security for the former president and GOP nominee.
Biden emphasized the need for national unity, saying, “Unity is the most elusive goal of all, but nothing is more important than that right now.” He acknowledged that political debates and disagreements will continue but stressed the importance of remembering the common bonds that unite Americans.
In his remarks, Biden disclosed that he spoke with Trump shortly after the shooting. Describing their conversation as “short but good,” Biden offered his prayers to Trump, his family, the injured, and the family of Corey Comperatore, who was killed protecting his loved ones. “He was protecting his family from the bullets being fired,” Biden said of Comperatore. “He lost his life. God love him.”
Addressing concerns over recent reports that some Democrats had sought to strip Trump of his Secret Service protections, Biden reiterated his commitment to providing every resource necessary for Trump’s security. He also mentioned ongoing preparations for the upcoming Republican National Convention.
Biden cautioned against making assumptions about the shooter, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks. “I urge everyone: Please, don’t make assumptions about his motive or affiliations. Let the FBI and their partner agencies do their job,” Biden stated.
The president’s speech lasted just over three minutes, with no questions taken from the press. He indicated that he would make further remarks later in the evening from the Oval Office.
As the investigation into the attack continues, Biden’s calls for unity and restraint aim to foster a sense of calm and solidarity. The administration is focused on ensuring the safety of all political figures and maintaining the integrity of democratic processes amidst heightened tensions.
