Political leaders in Los Angeles are reacting after shots were fired at a rally for former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.
Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X that violence "has NO place in our democracy.”
“My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted at the rally today,” he wrote.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a statement on X, calling it “unacceptable and tragic.”
“Political violence has no place in our nation. I wish former President Trump a full recovery and my thoughts are with all of those impacted this evening,” she wrote.
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn expressed her shock to KNX News’ Jon Baird.
“I don't care what we feel about different candidates politically and while I certainly don't agree with his politics, nevertheless, it just shocked me and horrified me and just really sickened me that he would have been subject to this kind of violence again at something as democratic as a political rally,” she said.
When asked if we could see more violence with both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions and the presidential election coming up, Hahn does have some concerns.
“Well, I always worry in this country that it just feels like the rhetoric always begins to escalate around different political candidates and their ideas, and I've always been very concerned about gun violence since I was a member of Congress,” she said. “And it's shocking. It's troubling. It looks like former president Trump is going to be ok, but nevertheless, it's just chilling to hear those what appeared to be several shots being fired as he was addressing his supporters at this rally.”
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield told KNX News’ Jon Baird it’s “both a shock and a sadness that we're at this place in this country at this time.”
“It's not completely unpredictable given the rising in the political temperature that has been so palpable,” he said. “But at the same time, seeing it play out on TV this way…it's awful and doesn't bode well for the future.”
City Council President Paul Krekorian also spoke with Baird, adding that he was horrified by the shooting.
"I think every American should be horrified regardless of your political orientation or who you plan to vote for because political violence like this is not just an attack on a human being, it's an attack on democracy itself and it's intolerable in our society," he said.
O.C. Supervisor Katrina Foley also expressed her horror to the shooting in a statement on X.
“Our country is founded on the principle of free speech for all, especially our political opponents,” she wrote. “As Americans we must be committed to rooting violence out of our political process.”
Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff wrote on X, "Horrified by this apparent assassination attempt. There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Absolutely none. Grateful for the swift response by law enforcement and Secret Service. Wishing President Trump a swift recovery."
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote on X, "As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those."
Both the LAPD and the L.A. County Sheriff's Department released statements that they were monitoring the shooting, but that there was no known threat to L.A. at this time.
Trump was taken to a local medical facility but his spokesman, Steven Cheung, and the Secret Service confirmed the former president is safe.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger confirmed that the suspected gunman and at least one rally attendee were killed. Two people were critically injured, according to the Secret Service.
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