(The Center Square) — Despite everyday political differences, Virginia’s political figures spoke with mostly one voice on social media and in official statements, condemning the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pa., Saturday evening.
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a statement Sunday afternoon praising the former president for his response to the attack.
“Last night, Donald J. Trump showed us strength and courage, and he showed us compassion and gratitude. I thank God for protecting him,” Youngkin said.
But he quickly followed with a warning that “American exceptionalism” can be lost if Americans embrace violence as an answer to political ills.
“Yesterday’s attempted assassination of President Trump was an action of pure evil… If we ever deem it acceptable, then we will lose our Republic,” the governor said.
He said American democracy and freedom could be preserved, however, by a lived common commitment to civil values and beliefs.
“We fix this through courage, faith, and yes, love. We fix this by repairing our culture. We fix this by defending our beliefs with dignity and fortitude. We fix this by knowing God Almighty blessed this chosen land, and we will defend America against all enemies foreign and domestic.”
Speaker of the House Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, and Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, issued a joint statement on behalf of the House of Delegates.
“We were shocked and alarmed to learn of the violence that took place at the rally today. This is not a reflection of our shared values,” they wrote. "In America, we settle political differences through free and fair elections. There is no place for violence in politics.”
They affirmed Americans’ right to gather peacefully in political demonstrations and said they were praying for the former president and those affected.
The Senate had not issued an official statement at the time of publication, but Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, denounced “political violence” in a statement just after the event on X.
“Political violence is not how we resolve elections in America - thank you Secret Service and other law enforcement for protecting the Former President and all participants at his rally,” Surovell wrote.
Longtime state senator and Chair of Senate Finance and Appropriations Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth – perhaps the boldest opponent of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin through the 2024 General Assembly session – squarely rebuked the shooting on X and expressed concern for the former president.
“I am disgusted by the events that occurred at former President Trump’s rally today. Political violence has absolutely no place in our democratic systems. I am praying for his family, and for a full recovery for Mr. Trump,” Lucas wrote.
Trump whistleblower and Democratic primary nominee for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District Eugene Vindman also unequivocally condemned the attack immediately after the news broke, calling it a “heinous act” and saying he was praying for Trump. In a second post, he again decried political violence.
“As the authorities continue their investigation, it’s important that we all agree [that] any form of political violence or retribution is unacceptable. I offer my sincere sympathies to the victims, and urge everyone to remain calm,” Vindman wrote.
Vindman is running to replace Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who has held the office since 2019 but announced she would not seek reelection this fall as she is running for governor in 2025. Vindman often speaks against MAGA Republicans and of “stand[ing] up for our democracy against the extremists that threaten to tear it down.”
Suhas Subramanyam, the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District—which Rep. Jennifer Wexton has abdicated due to a serious illness—didn’t issue a statement himself but reposted President Joe Biden’s post on X, which also denounced political violence and spoke of prayers for Trump and his family.
Missy Cotter Smasal, the Democratic nominee for District 2 against Trump-endorsed incumbent Rep. Jenn Kiggans, used the attack to argue for greater restrictions on gun ownership.
“Yesterday’s tragic shooting in Pennsylvania is more evidence of why weapons of war have no place in our communities... Americans should be able to gather, whether at a rally, church, movie theater, concert, or school, and be free from violence,” Smasal wrote on X.
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