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    ‘Violence has no place’: RI lawmakers decry attempted assassination of Trump

    By Shiina LoSciuto,

    2 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2bvDl8_0uSRoupY00

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Though Rhode Island’s congressional delegation has repeatedly and openly criticized former President Donald Trump, the lawmakers came together Monday to condemn political violence following his attempted assassination .

    Trump took the stage in Pennsylvania for a rally Saturday evening and was shoved to the ground by Secret Service agents minutes later as gunshots rang out. He was whisked off stage while pumping his fist at the crowd — and with blood trickling from his right ear down onto his face.

    The presumptive Republican presidential nominee later told his supporters that his ear had been pierced in the shooting, but he was otherwise fine.

    RI State Police: No local connection to attempted Trump assassination

    The suspected gunman, identified by authorities as Pennsylvania resident Thomas Matthew Crooks , also killed a former fire chief and critically wounded two other spectators. Crooks was eventually shot dead by the Secret Service.

    Rhode Island’s congressional delegation spoke to 12 News about the assassination attempt following an unrelated media briefing Monday morning.

    The lawmakers agreed that what happened over the weekend does not reflect the country as a whole.

    “In a democracy, violence has no place,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said.

    “What divides us should never separate us to the point of violence,” Sen Jack Reed added. “I think we are all grateful that former President Trump survived, and we are also saddened that innocent people were killed.”

    Lawmakers launching investigations into Trump assassination attempt

    Rep. Gabe Amo said he hopes that this ordeal “marks a change in tone and tenor” in politics.

    “We may disagree on issues … but that is not a cause for what we saw,” Amo said. I hope that we can all take this moment to pause and reflect and move forward together as a country.”

    Crooks’ motive and affiliations remain unclear at this time. President Joe Biden announced Sunday he is requesting a “thorough and swift” probe into what happened and urged the country to not make assumptions.

    Despite the shooting, Trump moved full-steam ahead with his presidential campaign. He attended the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee on Monday, where he announced his running mate and was officially named the GOP presidential nominee .

    Rhode Islanders who were at the RNC told 12 News the energy surrounding Trump’s presidential campaign is only growing.

    Republican Party of Rhode Island chairman Joe Powers said he’s already been approached by undecided voters who have since made up their minds.

    “They’ve all pretty much said to me, ‘We’re going with Trump right now, because we see the resilience of who he is and exactly what it is he is going to bring to office once again, which is strength,'” Powers explained.

    Trump receives enough delegate votes to officially be Republicans’ nominee

    Henry Gardner, who works at the New England for Trump store in Warwick, said business was booming on Sunday with Rhode Islanders eager to show their support.

    “I was very shaken, I couldn’t believe what was happening,” Gardner said, referring to the assassination attempt.

    Gardner said the store is already taking pre-orders for T-shirts that feature Trump pumping his fist in the air just moments after the shooting. He believes the assassination attempt, and the moments that followed, are bringing everyone together.

    “He’s trying to make sure we talk about unifying this country once again,” Gardner said of Trump. “It’s something Biden has obviously failed to do.”

    Though he also condemned the violence, Rep. Seth Magaziner stressed Saturday night that it would “be a mistake” for anyone to try and score political points from the shooting.

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