California leaders condemn apparent attack on former President Trump

California leaders condemn apparent attack on former President Trump

California leaders condemned an apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

“Violence has NO place in our democracy,” Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted. “My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted by today’s rally.”

While speaking at a rally outside Pittsburgh, Trump grabbed his head and ducked after being severely beaten. Secret Service agents rushed to surround Trump, who appeared to be bleeding around his ear as he raised his fist in the air and was rushed off stage.

In a statement, the Secret Service said a shooter fired from “an elevated position outside the rally site” before being shot and killed by agents. One spectator was killed and two others were “seriously injured” in the shooting, the statement said.

In his own statement, Trump said he was “shot through the upper part of my right ear.”

Secret Service agents support former President Trump, who is bleeding from his right ear, as they leave the stage at a rally

Secret Service agents help former President Trump off the stage during a rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.

(Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)

Trump thanked the Secret Service and offered his condolences to the rally participants who were killed and injured.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) wrote on the social media platform X that such violence “has no place in our society.”

Secret Service agents cover former President Trump near the podium on a red stage

Secret Service agents cover former President Trump at Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

(Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

“As someone whose family was a victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe and sound,” Pelosi wrote.

Her husband was assaulted in their San Francisco home in 2022. Pelosi wrote that she hoped the rally attendees were safe.

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also condemned the violence.

“It’s disgusting. It’s disgusting,” Biden said at a news briefing.

President Biden speaks into two microphones with an American flag in the background

President Biden speaks on Saturday’s shooting in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

(Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

Harris said she and her husband Doug Emhoff were “relieved” that Trump was not seriously injured.

“We pray for him, his family, and all those injured and impacted by this senseless shooting,” Harris said. “We are grateful to the U.S. Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action.”

“Such violence has no place in our country. We must all condemn this heinous act and do our part to ensure it does not lead to further violence.”

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) wrote that “there is no place in our democracy for political violence” and that he was “keeping the former president and those who attended his rally in my thoughts.”

“I am grateful to law enforcement for responding quickly to protect those present,” he wrote.

Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), appointed by Newsom to complete Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s term, wrote that her “thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump and his family and all Americans at the rally. We must not allow political violence to become acceptable in our democracy.”

Two people wearing hats kissing at a rally

People hug after former President Trump was ushered to safety at a campaign rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.

(Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)

Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), who is running to fill Butler’s seat as the next U.S. senator from California, also released a statement.

“Horrified by this apparent assassination attempt,” Schiff wrote. “There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Absolutely none. I am grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and the Secret Service. I wish President Trump a speedy recovery.”

Schiff’s Republican opponent in the Senate race, former Dodgers star Steve Garvey, wrote on X that his “thoughts and prayers are with President Trump for a speedy recovery and the families of the innocent rally supporters who were tragically impacted.”

He also praised “the bravery of the members of the secret service who courageously protected the former president and all those present.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.