Video circulating on Xshowed two Secret Service snipers stationed on a roof nearformer President DonaldTrump responding to the shots froman unidentifiedgunman —both of whomquickly tookaim and openedfire.
The gunman, identified only asa white male,shot and wounded Trump aftercrawling on the roof ofthe AGR International, Inc.,building about 130 yards from where the45th presidentwas speaking at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
One senior law enforcement source had told The Post that Trump “came within inches of having his face shot open” before the Secret Service snipers responded.
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One other attendee was killed, according to a local prosecutor, and US Secret Service confirmed that two spectators were critically injured.
“I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” the 78-year-old presumptive Republican presidential nominee said later Saturday evening in his first statement since being rushed to the Pittsburgh-area hospital.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening,” Trump said on his Truth Social account.
“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania,” he added.
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“Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country.”
The gunman wasn’t carrying identification on him and hadn’t attended the rally, according to sources.
His AR-style rifle was recovered at the scene, sources told the Associated Press.
Trump stood and gave a fist pump to the audience as Secret Service agents swarmed him in the wake of the shooting, making it erupt into cheers as he urged them to “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
Everything we know about the Trump assassination attempt
- 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks was identified as the shooter who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
- Crooks was shot dead by Secret Service agents.
- The gunman grazed Trump’s ear, killed a 50-year-old retired fire chief, and injured two other rally-goers.
- Investigators detailed Crooks’ search history to lawmakers, revealing that he looked for the dates of Trump’s appearances and the Democratic National Convention.
- Crooks’ search history also revealed a broad interest in high-profile people and celebrities, regardless of their political affiliation, FBI officials reportedly said.
- Trump exclusively recounted surviving the “surreal” assassination attempt with The Post at the rally, remarking, “I’m supposed to be dead.”
- High-profile politicians, including President Biden and Vice President Harris, addressed the nation about the shooting, calling it “a heinous, horrible and cowardly act.”
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House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) later announced that his panel will investigate the shooting and hold a public hearing with the head of US Secret Service.
“I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing. The Oversight Committee will send a formal invitation soon,” Comer said in a statement.
“My prayers are with President Trump and the victims of the assassination attempt at today’s rally in Pennsylvania. I thank the brave Secret Service members who put their lives at risk to protect President Trump and for the American patriots in the audience who helped others who were hurt,” he added.
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“It’s a wonder Donald Trump is alive. Let’s call this what it was. An assassination attempt with at least one innocent bystander murdered,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said on X. “The nation needs to know who did this. And why. And we need a full, public investigation by Congress into HOW it happened.”
Here’s the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
- Attempted Trump assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks’ ‘pathway to violence’ explained
- Trump’s would-be assassin Thomas Crooks wrote chilling online post foreshadowing rally shooting
- Trump shooter Thomas Crooks was not a member of rifle team, wasn’t bullied despite previous reports, school claims
- Florida man arrested for ‘written threats to kill’ Trump, Vance days after assassination attempt
- Secret Service honchos denied Trump additional security for 2 years before assassination attempt: damning revelation
- Former WH doctor gives update on Trump’s wound after assassination attempt
Politicians of all stripes were also quick to denounce the violence.
“Everyone join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at that rally. I hope everyone is ok,” Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) posted on X, the first member of Congress to remark on the shooting.
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President Biden made brief remarks near his Rehoboth Beach, Del., vacation home and said he planned to speak with Trump later that evening.
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick,” Biden, 81, said. “It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this.”’
“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics,” former President Barack Obama added on X. “Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.”
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“Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family,” said independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
A spokesman for US Secret Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
