Illinois and national Republicans and Democrats react to shooting at Donald Trump rally

News Room

Republican and Democratic politicians across Illinois and the nation condemned the violence that broke out Saturday at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania that left the suspected gunman and at least one attendee dead and Trump being whisked off the stage with blood on his right ear and face.

A Trump spokesperson said the presumptive GOP presidential nominee is “fine and being checked out at a local medical facility” while the Secret Service said in a statement that “the former President is safe.”

While Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden are expected to face off in November, as the political rhetoric has intensified, politicians from both parties said they were glad Trump was not seriously hurt and denounced the violence.

“I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Biden said in a statement on X, the social media site formerly called Twitter. “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.”

Former President Barack Obama of Illinois said, “There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. 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.”

The shooting happened as Trump, who is expected to be nominated Thursday at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the RNC.

Kathy Salvi, the chairwoman-elect for the Illinois Republican Party, said the state’s GOP was “united and stand(s)” with Trump.

“We express our full support for President Trump and his family,” she said on X. “We appreciate the prompt response by law enforcement and the Secret Service.”

Former state Sen. Darren Bailey, the unsuccessful 2022 GOP governor candidate who was endorsed by Trump, said on X, “If this man does not win in November, this country will change forever… God Bless President Trump! PRAY!!!”

Bailey is a downstate Trump delegate to the Republican National Convention.

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost of Murphysboro, who was endorsed by Trump in winning a March GOP congressional primary challenge against Bailey, also said on X that he and his wife “are praying for President Donald Trump.”

“God Bless President Trump and the Secret Service officers involved,” Bost said.

Bost, like Bailey, is a Trump convention delegate.

In a statement to the Tribune, Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie said, “today is a terrible day for our nation.”

“The deepening political divide is dangerous and any political violence is unacceptable,” she added. “Gunshots cannot silence our collective need for change. Our thoughts and prayers are with President Trump and others injured in today’s heinous act. We must come together to condemn violence and seek unity as a country.”

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement on X that “violence is never the answer in our democracy,” a sentiment echoed by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

“I am closely monitoring the situation and praying for former President Trump’s recovery,” Pritzker said.

Nationally, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, three men on Trump’s shortlist for vice president, all quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president, with Rubio sharing an image taken as Trump was escorted off stage with his fist in the air and a streak of blood on his face along with the words “God protected President Trump.”

Tribune reporters Rick Pearson and Olivia Olander and the Associated Press contributed. 

Related posts