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Bay Area and California political leaders expressed alarm after former President Donald J. Trump was shot and wounded at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13.
The FBI confirmed Saturday that the suspected shooter was killed by Secret Service agents. One member of the crowd was fatally shot, and two were wounded.
The news of the assassination attempt reverberated across the nation, including in the Bay Area where political leaders took to social media with statements condemning the violence and sending prayers for Trump and those attending the rally.
“As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society,” said former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, whose husband was attacked by a conspiracy theorist with a hammer in their home in 2022.
“I thank God that former President Trump is safe,” Pelosi said in a statement. “As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom echoed Pelosi.
“Violence has NO place in our democracy,” Newsom, a Democrat, said in a statement. “My thoughts are with President Trump, and everyone impacted at the rally today.”
“Political violence has no place in our democracy,” U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, said in a statement. “I condemn this shooting, and am grateful for first responders, Secret Service and law enforcement.
“I wish former President Trump (and others shot) good health and a fast recovery,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Santa Clara, said he was “absolutely appalled by the gunshots fired at Donald Trump.
“Violence is never acceptable in our democracy,” Khanna said in a statement. “I pray he was not seriously hurt and for our deeply divided nation.”
U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, said he was “horrified by this apparent assassination attempt.
“There is no place for political violence in our democracy,” Schiff said in a statement. “Absolutely none. Grateful for the swift response by law enforcement and Secret Service. Wishing President Trump a swift recovery.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, chairman of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, said that while more information is needed, “one thing remains clear: Gun violence of any kind is unacceptable.
“I unequivocally condemn today’s act of political violence against the former president, and I am grateful to hear he is safe,” Thompson said in a press release. “My thoughts remain with the former president and those in attendance. I urge my colleagues who are speaking out in horror to join the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in its efforts to pass the commonsense laws that help prevent these threats.”
State Assemblymember Diane Papan, D-San Mateo, said she was “grateful for the rapid response of the public safety personnel today and deeply grieved for our nation at this moment.
“Political violence has no place in our democracy and I denounce it in the strongest of terms,” she said in a statement. “The United States of America is the oldest democracy in the world, and we must maintain it through the ballot.”
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, a Republican candidate for California’s 9th Congressional District, said his “thoughts and prayers” were with Trump and his family.
“We extend our heartfelt support to him and his loved ones during this challenging time,” Lincoln said in a statement. “May they find strength, comfort, and a swift recovery in the outpouring of well-wishes from across the nation.”
This story was written by Glenn Gehlke for Bay City News Service.