BUTLER, Pa. — Reaction is pouring in from local politicians on social media after the shocking images from a Donald Trump campaign rally in Butler Pennsylvania when shots rang out appearing to strike the former president.
Politicians from both parties were quick to denounce the violence and offer support to the former president and the people who were at the rally.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
U.S. Represantive (OH - 9th district) Marcy Kaptur
U.S. Representative (OH – 5th district) district Bob Latta
State Representative Derek Merrin, who is running for the 9th U.S. district congressional seat.
OH state senator Theresa Gavarone
U.S. Senator (OH) J.D. Vance
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U.S. Senator (OH) Sherrod Brown
Brown later released a separate statement.
Connie and I are relieved that President Trump is safe, and are praying for the health and safety of all those attending the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania tonight, and for our country. We’re grateful to the law enforcement who responded immediately. Political violence is completely unacceptable and has no place in our democracy.
On Sunday afternoon, Brown called for an investigation into the shooting.
Ohio Lt. Governor John Husted
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose
Ohio Treasurer of State Robert Sprague
U.S. State Representative Haraz Ghanbari
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
U.S. Representative Tim Walberg
In the hour after the incident the Trump campaign released its own statement.
President Joe Biden also released a statement later in the evening:
I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.
I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.
Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.
Former President Trump's statement in hours after shooting.
At 8:42 p.m. Donald Trump posted on Truth Social thanking law enforcement, offering condolences to the other victims, and describing what he was thinking as shots rang out.
The situation is unfolding just days before the Republican National Convention is set to take place in Wisconsin.