Federal officials respond to assassination attempt at Trump rally

(The Center Square) – Federal officials from President Joe Biden's administration condemned violence after former President Donald Trump was shot and wounded in the ear at a rally Saturday.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III said he was praying for Trump and his family. Trump posted on Truth Social that a bullet hit the upper part of his ear.

"The entire Department of Defense condemns this violence, which has absolutely no place in our democracy," Austin said. "This is not the way that we resolve our differences in America – and it must never be."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also released statements condemning political violence.

U.S. Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said a person fired multiple shots toward the stage at former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service said a person shot at Trump from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. Secret Service agents killed the shooter.

Guglielmi said one spectator was dead and two others were in critical condition.