Illinois Republicans urge unity after apparent assassination attempt on Trump

(The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans are calling for unity after the FBI reported an apparent assassination attempt against former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Members of the Illinois GOP gathered Monday morning after gunshots were reported Sunday at a Florida golf course where the former president was playing.

Illinois Republican Chair Kathy Salvi joined several GOP candidates for office at a news conference in downtown Chicago

“We Republicans stand united with President Trump and his family at this time. We have resolve,” Salvi said.

Chicago Republican Chairman Chuck Hernandez told reporters that violent rhetoric is coming from the left.

“When you compare Donald Trump to Hitler over and over, that is putting in people’s minds that we need to stop him. They keep saying, ‘He’s a threat to democracy.’ He is not a threat to democracy. We’ve seen his success. We’ve seen what he’s done around the world. He’s brought peace to the Middle East. He’s destroyed ISIS. He is our candidate. We are behind him 100%,” Hernandez said.

Republican Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Bob Fioretti was asked if more security was needed.

“Obviously, he’s a candidate. Yes, we need to have more security for him. I’ve always thought that, and I think we have to look at all of our former presidents,” Fioretti answered.

Illinois GOP Chair Salvi said the world will be safer if Donald Trump returns to the White House.

“If you don’t like Trump, turn off the TV for four years, for heaven’s sakes, but you’ll sleep easier knowing that our international standing has been secured, that we are respected again internationally, that our taxes will be lower, that our border to the south will be secured,” Salvi said.

In July, former President Trump was the target of an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. One person was killed, two others were injured and a bullet struck the former president’s ear during that incident.