State leaders call for end to political violence, unity after Trump assassination attempt
The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump Saturday sparked calls for unity, prayers for Trump and his family and an almost unanimous call by state political leaders for an end to violence.
The shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania rocked an already difficult presidential campaign and, along with what is expected to be a massive federal investigation, forced increased security at the Republican National Convention which opened Monday in Milwaukee and changes in the Oklahoma Senate's upcoming special session.
One source close to Oklahoma's Republican delegation, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said some pre-convention events planned for Saturday night had been canceled because of the shooting and that security was heavy.
"Every hotel and every bus with delegates has Secret Service protection," the source said.
On Saturday, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, shot at Trump with an AR-15 style rifle. Crooks was on a rooftop about 400 outside a campaign rally at Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania. In addition to Trump's injuries, the Secret Service said one spectator was killed and two others were critically injured.
Crooks, 20, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents moments after gunfire erupted at the former president's rally. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was recovering after he was injured in the right ear.
"Our love goes out to the other victims and their families," Trump said in a statement on Truth Social on Sunday morning. "We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed."
Preparations being made for Republican National Convention
Pam Pollard, an Oklahoma delegate to the GOP convention and former chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party, said delegates were still processing Saturday's events. Pollard who is in Milwaukee for the convention, said delegates had been asked, for the moment, not to speak publicly about the shooting.
"Right now I really can't say anything," she said.
Sunday, Trump announced he would attend the GOP convention. "Based on yesterday's terrible events, I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a "shooter," or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else," Trump said on the Truth Social network. "Therefore, I will be leaving for Milwaukee, as scheduled..."
Democratic President Joe Biden and a host of Republican and Democratic politicians condemned the shooting. “There is no place for this kind of violence in America. It’s sick. It’s sick,” Biden said Saturday at an emergency briefing room in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Oklahoma leaders call for prayer, collaboration
In Oklahoma, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a media statement saying he was thankful for the swift response by the Secret Service and law enforcement.
"My prayers are with President Trump and those in attendance at the rally— and we should all feel so thankful for the swift response by the Secret Service and law enforcement," the governor said. "While details are still coming in, we can’t tolerate attempts to thwart democracy with political violence. Period.”
A spokesman for the Oklahoma Senate said the Senate's Republican leader would present a resolution Monday addressing the shooting. The resolution, authored by Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat, condemns the political violence, calls for continued prayers for the victims and wishes the former president a quick recovery
"Senator Treat will present the resolution as the session opens," Alex Gerszewski, Treat's spokesman, said.
Treat called the shooting an act of senseless violence that should never be tolerated. "The Secret Service, law enforcement and first responders are all owed a special debt of gratitude for their quick response, as we continue to get more details on this heartbreaking incident," he said.
Treat and others have pushed back against the extreme political rhetoric this year. In June, during an appearance at the Oklahoma Press Association's summer convention, former Republican Congressman J.C. Watts said extremists on both ends of the political spectrum were questioning democracy itself.
"We are living in interesting times," Watts said. People are forced to look for blame and not solutions. We need to reserve the right to disagree but, at the same time, we need to walk around to the other side and see ourselves through the eyes of others."
The best leaders, Watts said, are collaborative. "They challenge one another. They look for the right answer," he said.
Sunday afternoon, House Speaker Charles McCall released a media statement which said he and his family were praying for Trump, his family and those who were in attendance after the failed assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally yesterday.
"Political differences are never a justification for violence," McCall said. "My heart goes out to the family of the individual who lost his life at the rally and those others who were injured. We must continue to pray for our Nation, and find a path forward together. May God continue to bless America."
Democrats condemn political violence
Democrats said they, too, were appalled by the shooting and were thankful that Trump was safe. Oklahoma House Minority Leader Cindy Munson said political violence anywhere towards anyone was unacceptable.
"Americans should be able to exercise their First Amendment right to attend a political rally without fearing for their lives," Munson said in a posting on X, formerly Twitter. "I’m praying for the former President, the audience members who were harmed and their families."
Former President Barack Obama said there was "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. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery," Obama wrote.
Republican Gentner Drummond, the state's attorney general, said each American "must reject political violence and resolve to settle our policy differences at the ballot box. The future of our Republic depends on it.”
“The bullets of madmen have altered the course of American history many times, but not today. Thank God President Trump is safe," Drummond said.
State school Superintendent Ryan Walters said his thoughts and prayers were with President Trump and his family. "While we await additional details on this situation, I know President Trump’s strength and resolve, and know he will not be back down to anyone," Walters said.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she well understood the effect of political violence. "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," Pelosi said on X, referencing the attack on her husband, Paul. "I thank God that former President Trump is safe. 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."
State Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, said he was thankful Trump was OK. "I pray for him and his family as they deal with such a tragic event," McBride said. "I also pray for our country that this would unite us against violence of any kind."
The Republican National Convention is expected to run through Wednesday.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma leaders call for unity after Trump assassination attempt
