Lawmakers and public figures in Arkansas are releasing statements of support for former President Donald Trump after he was rushed off stage after a shooting at his rally on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Secret Service agents surrounded Trump and moved him away from a podium where he had been delivering remarks, with blood visible across the side of his face.
A shooter fired multiple shots from an “elevated position” outside of the Trump rally before United States Secret Service personnel “neutralized” the shooter, the law enforcement agency said.
The shooting is being investigated as an assassination attempt, CNN, the Associated Press and other outlets reported.
Live updates:Trump shot in ear in apparent assassination attempt at rally; 1 attendee dead, 2 seriously injured
Trump’s campaign reported said that he is “fine” and being medically evaluated. Trump posted on Truth Social that he had been hit in “the upper part of my right ear.”
Here is how Arkansas leaders are reacting.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders
“President Trump won’t be stopped. America can’t be broken. Pray for our country,” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders posted on X, formerly Twitter.
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton
“Please join Anna and me in praying for President Trump, his agents, and all his supporters at the rally in Butler,” the junior Senator from Arkansas posted on X Saturday.
U.S. Sen. John Boozman
"Please join me in praying for President Trump as well as those in attendance at today’s rally and our entire country," Boozman said in a post on X.
Republican Party of Arkansas Chair Joseph K. Wood
"Our hearts are heavy with the news of the tragic shooting at the rally in Butler, PA. We ask everyone to join us in prayer for President Donald J. Trump, all the attendees, and the United States Secret Service who rushed to the scene," Wood said in an emailed statement Saturday.
Democratic Party of Arkansas
“The Democratic Party of Arkansas condemns political violence. What happened in Pennsylvania is far too common in communities around our country. Our prayers are with everyone victimized today, including the former President,” the party posted on X.
Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston
“I ask you to join me in prayer for President Trump, the victims and other attendees, and the United States Secret Service who put their lives on the line during this tragic shooting,” Thurston posted on X.
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson
"The assassination attempt on former President Trump is an attack on democracy. My prayers are with President Trump and others impacted I am grateful for all the first responders investigating this act of terror," Hutchinson, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, said in a post on X.
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack
"My prayers continue to be with President Trump and the innocent Americans who were exercising their Constitutional rights and caught in this heartbreaking act of violence. I’m grateful for the swift response of secret service. There is no place for political violence in this country," Womack, who represents Arkansas' Third Congressional District, said in a post on X.
U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford
"My prayers are with President Trump, his family, and our nation during this time," Crawford, who represents the First Congressional District, said in a post on X.
U.S. Rep. French Hill
"Prayers for former president @realDonaldTrump and thanks to our @SecretService and for his health care providers," Hill, representative for Arkansas' Second Congressional District, posted to X.
U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman
"America is a nation that is made stronger through political discourse, and violence has no place in that discourse. My prayers are for President Trump and all those who were victims of this senseless act. Initial reports are that the perpetrator was killed, and I applaud the response of security officials that took him out before there were more casualties. Hopefully, law enforcement will discover any and all others involved and hold them accountable," Westerman, representative from Arkansas' Fourth Congressional District, posted on X.
Arkansas Rep. David Whittaker, D-Fayetteville
“Political violence is always unacceptable. Full stop,” said Whittaker, Democratic representative from Arkansas' 22nd District in a post on X.
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr.
"Political speech is a fundamental right afforded to us as Americans. But if political violence occurs, that is what can tear apart the very fabric of our Republic. I am very thankful President Trump is ok, and pray for his quick recovery," the Democratic mayor posted on X.
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