Local leaders, organizations react to attempted Trump assassination

Calls for unity and peace have been typical of the local reaction to the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, PA on Saturday evening.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that he’d been shot in the ear. A rally attendee was killed and two others remain hospitalized in stable condition .

Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement:

“This attempt on former President Trump’s life is horrific and contrary to everything our nation stands for. In America, we settle political disagreements peacefully at the ballot box – not through heinous acts of violence. We must stand together to condemn what happened today, and remind ourselves that regardless of how we vote or what we believe, we are all Americans.”

During his Sunday morning sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Rev. Sen. Raphael Warnock said

”We pray for the American family beset by a moral crisis and spiritual sickness so much deeper than partisan politics,” he said, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution . “The puny language of red states and blue states will not save us now. This is not about red and blue, this is not about right and left, this is about right and wrong.”

Warnock said the would-be assassin was no patriot, just as the people who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 were not. “They are cut from the same cloth,” he said. “We must cry foul, we must call out the hypocrisy of anyone who would try to condone one and not condemn the other.”

Sen. Jon Ossoff said in a statement;

“I join all Georgians and Americans in condemning this despicable act of violence and pray former President Trump makes a full recovery. I thank the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift response. Political violence is never acceptable and can never be tolerated.”

The Atlanta City Council released a statement Sunday afternoon.

“We were shocked to learn of the event that occurred during a presidential campaign rally in Pennsylvania and condemn the act of violence that took the life of a spectator. A shooting at a political rally is disheartening. Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone and their families impacted by the event.”

The King Center in Atlanta released a statement condemning the assassination attempt:

“The King Center condemns the violence that took place at former President Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania. As facts emerge, our thoughts are with all affected. Dr. King’s words remind us: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” In these moments of political darkness, we must remember his profound wisdom. America needs to find a way to love even in protest. Hate and violence have no place in our society.  Let’s reflect on root causes and commit to dialogue and understanding. Join us at the King Center in prayer and work as we pursue peace. We must respond with love, compassion, and a renewed commitment to peace for a nonviolent democracy. Together, we can light the way to a brighter, more just future.”

The FBI has identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, PA. Authorities say he fired multiple shots from a building rooftop across from the rally venue before he was killed by Secret Service agents.

President Joe Biden ordered an independent review of security measures at Saturday’s rally.

In an address to the nation on Sunday, Biden condemned the violence and urged Americans to let the FBI investigation unfold.

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