Maryland politicians across spectrum decry violence after Trump shooting

Police stand near the stage of a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump on Saturday, after an assassination attempt that injured Trump, wounded two and killed two, including the suspected gunman. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

By Imani Agbionu, Emily Condon, James Matheson, Caley Fox Shannon, Daniel Stein and Katharine Wilson

MILWAUKEE – Maryland officials on both sides of the aisle are expressing support for victims and outrage at the act of political violence after the shooting Saturday that injured former President Donald Trump and left two dead, including the suspected gunman.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms what has happened in Pennsylvania today to President Trump,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), said in a statement. “Political violence is never acceptable. Ever.”

Minutes into a Trump’s appearance at a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening, gunshots rang out through the crowd. Trump, speaking at the podium, suddenly put his hand up to his right ear before crouching to the ground as gunfire continued. Secret Service agents rushed to create a protective barrier before quickly escorting Trump offstage and into a vehicle.

Trump was pronounced safe shortly after the incident. He said in a Truth Social post Saturday evening that a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear.

Two people at the rally were injured in the shooting and one was killed. He was identified as Corey Comperatore, a local firefighter who was at the rally with his family.

Secret Service agents killed the gunman, who had opened fire with a rifle from a rooftop about 130 yards from the stage. The FBI has identified the suspected shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.

The FBI, which has taken over investigation of the attack, has declared the shooting an assassination attempt, but did not release any other motive.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, the current Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, said on X: “We are praying that President Trump and all in attendance are safe. Political violence must be universally condemned. America is a tinderbox right now. This must stop.”

Hogan, an outspoken critic of Trump, confirmed last month that he will skip the party’s national convention, as he did in 2016.

The Republican National Convention is scheduled to begin Monday in Milwaukee – a fact referenced by Trump moments before the shooting began, when he said, “Five days from now we will officially accept the Republican nomination for president of the United States.” Despite the shooting, he is expected to attend the convention as scheduled.

Nicole Beus Harris, Maryland Republican Party chairwoman and wife of Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st), wrote on Facebook that her party stands with Trump and wishes him a speedy recovery. Of the Secret Service and law enforcement that responded on the scene, Beus Harris said, “We support them and thank them for the difficult job they do.”

Del. Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore County), who is representing the state’s first congressional district as a delegate to the convention, wrote on X Saturday evening: “Prayers for Pres Trump. They say he will be fine. Thank GOD. Someone tried to assassinate him! Hopefully, no one else was hurt and Trump will be 100%. Can’t wait to see him on Thursday!”

Reince Priebus, chairman of the MKE 2024 Host Committee, said in a statement that “guests have already begun to arrive in Wisconsin, and we look forward to working with the Republican National Committee to welcome everyone to Milwaukee this week.”

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the Democrat who is running against Hogan for Senate, said on X that the nation must come together to “condemn this kind of political violence.”

Maryland Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen both condemned all acts of political violence shortly after the news broke Saturday through social media posts.

“There is no place for political violence or violence of any kind in our nation,” Van Hollen said on X.

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat, said his thoughts are with Trump and other victims of the attack, according to a statement provided through a spokesperson.

“This is not the country I want. This is not who we want to be as Americans for the rest of the world to see,” Ferguson said.

Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Maryland, took the incident as a chance to point to the larger conversation of gun laws in the country.

“Despite our extremely different ideological beliefs, fortunately former President Donald Trump survived today’s sniper attempt,” Mfume said. “Political violence underscores again the need to get guns and semi automatic rifles off the streets of America.”

– Capital News Service reporters Joey Barke, Sapna Bansil, Angel Gingras and Kiersten Hacker contributed to this report.

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