San Diego Elected Officials Decry Trump Attack, ‘Political Violence,’ Instead Call for Prayer

San Diego political figures on the left and right reacted with shock and anger after gunfire erupted at a Donald Trump rally on Saturday, sparking panic in the crowd and spattering the Republican presidential candidate with blood.

He emerged and defiantly pumped his fist in the air before being ushered to a waiting car.

Republican Rep. Darrell Issa tweeted: “Pray for President Trump.” And posted a soon-to-be-iconic photo of Trump defiantly raising a fist.

Democratic Rep. Juan Vargas said: “My thoughts and prayers are with former President Donald Trump and anyone else who may have been hurt today. Political violence has no place in our country.”

Fellow Democratic Rep. Mike Levin echoed Vargas and wished Trump and others a speedy recovery: “Political violence has no place in our democracy and should never be the answer to settle our differences. We must overcome the divisions in our country.”

(Matt Gunderson, Levin’s GOP opponent in the two-county coastal 49th district, also posted a statement.)

Democratic Rep. Scott Peters said he was glad to hear Trump was safe and receiving medical attention.

“There is no room for political violence in our country,” he said. “Thank you to the Secret Service and law enforcement that jumped into action.”

And Rep. Sara Jacobs, the fourth San Diego Democratic House member, called for accountability.

GOP State Sen. Brian Jones of Santee pleaded that Americans “take a step back and acknowledge the need for common ground, rather than seeing politics as a polarizing exercise.”

And county Supervisor Nora Vargas added: “There is no place for gun violence in our country, yet our children and families continue to witness tragic events like today.”

Cardinal Robert McElroy of the San Diego Roman Catholic diocese on Sunday issued a statement urging prayer for Trump, his family and “our tormented nation.”

Two minutes apart on X, the San Diego Young Republicans and San Diego Young Democrats also issued statements.

Amy Reichert, a Republican former candidate for county supervisor, said: “I have never endorsed a Presidential candidate publicly… I, Amy Reichert, fully support & endorse President Donald Trump!”

San Diego’s Bishop Cornelius Bowser Sr. — director of Shaphat Outreach, a ministry of Charity Apostolic Church — raised the gun safety issue.

“Even the most powerful govt in the world can’t shield a former president from gun violence,” he tweeted. “If our leaders can’t keep a presumptive nominee safe, what chance do ordinary Americans have? We must address our nation’s devastating gun violence epidemic NOW.”

San Diego mayoral candidate Larry Turner put out a press release.

He called on political leaders and citizens to reflect on the values of democracy and the rule of law.

“Our democracy is built on the principles of freedom, justice, and respect for one another,” Turner said. “We must uphold these principles and work towards a more united and peaceful society.”

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria earlier extended thoughts and prayers on behalf of the city.

Trump grimaced and grabbed his ear before security hustled him away. The Secret Service and the former president’s campaign said Trump was safe following the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Live video showed blood spattered on Trump’s right cheek and ear.

The suspected shooter was dead, as was an audience member, and another person was in critical condition, a Washington Post reporter said on social media, citing the Butler County district attorney.

The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the “subject involved” in the attempted assassination.

Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was registered as a Republican, according to the state’s voter records.

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Sunday that the airspace over the Bethel Park was closed “effective immediately” for special security reasons.

The shooting occurred less than four months before the Nov. 5 election, when Trump faces an election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.

“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Trump had just started his speech when gunshots erupted and Trump and other rally attendees hit the deck. Secret Service agents swarmed around him and Trump disappeared behind the podium for about one minute before he was rushed to the waiting vehicle.

Trump and Biden are locked in a close election rematch, with most opinion polls including those by Reuters/Ipsos showing the two evenly matched.

In a 159-word tweet, Shane Harris,, president of the People’s Association of Justice Advocates, said: “Enough is enough” after recalling how in 2020 he introduced an initiative called the “Civility Pledge.”

“Some committed to signing it on both sides but some hesitated to commit to this pledge,” he said. “I plan to reintroduce this effort once again on Monday. I don’t care what your policy differences are we must put an end to political violence and stand up as Americans to have the basic dignity and respect to disagree without being disagreeable.”

Trump is due to receive his party’s formal nomination at the Republican National Convention, which kicks off in Milwaukee on Monday.

“This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned,” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said on social media.

The shooter’s identity and motives were not immediately clear.

“The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former president is safe,” a spokesperson for the agency said on X after what it called an incident. “This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”

CNN reported that Trump was injured, but gave no other details. It was not clear how or what injuries he may have sustained.

One witness, Ron Moose, said he heard what sounded like four shots, describing the sound as “pop, pop, pop.”

The venue was abandoned with chairs knocked over and yellow police tape around the stage. A helicopter flew above and law enforcement officers walked through the area, the video feed showed. Armed law enforcement officers were also seen on a roof near the stage where Trump was standing.

Biden received an initial briefing on the incident, the White House said.

Biden has been facing pushback from within his own party following a disastrous debate performance against the former president a little more than two weeks ago.

Trump, who served as president from 2017-2021, easily bested his rivals for the Republican nomination early in the campaign and has largely unified around him the party that had briefly wavered in support after his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

The businessman and former reality television star entered the year facing a raft of legal worries, including four separate criminal prosecutions. He was found guilty in late May of trying to cover up hush money payments to a porn star, but the other three prosecutions he faces — including two for his attempts to overturn his defeat — have been ground to a halt by various factors including a Supreme Court decision early this month that found him to be partly immune to prosecution.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Updated at 11:42 a.m. July 14, 2024