Trump Injured At Rally In PA: Connecticut Reacts

CONNECTICUT — Former President Donald Trump was injured Saturday and two people were killed — a bystander and the suspected shooter — during a shooting at Trump's rally in western Pennsylvania, according to reports.

The reaction on social media from Connecticut leaders was swift.

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Gov. Ned Lamont said that "Political violence and gun violence of any kind have absolutely no place in our society and are never acceptable:"

Political violence and gun violence of any kind have absolutely no place in our society and are never acceptable.

We must all as Americans be able to express our views freely and without the fear of violence.
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) July 13, 2024

A short time later, the Connecticut governor lauded Trump's Secret Service detail and expressed solidarity with the former president and attendees at the rally:

My thoughts are with former President Trump and everyone in attendance at today's rally, and I am relieved that everyone appears to be safe.

I also commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift action to protect everyone's safety.
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) July 13, 2024

Photos and video showed Trump holding his ear and blood on the side of his face after the incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, an hour north of Pittsburgh.

“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement, the Associated Press reported. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-CT, echoed the governor's condemnation of the "political violence:"

There is no room in America for political violence. We should all condemn what happened today and I am hoping for the health of the former president and everyone else at the rally.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) July 13, 2024

The rally was being held just before the Republican National Convention is set to begin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Trump is to formally receive the Republican nomination.

The thoughts of Sen. Richard Blumenthal were also with the former president, he posted on X:

Political violence of any kind is unacceptable.

I am thankful for law enforcement’s swift response.

My thoughts are with former President Trump.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) July 14, 2024

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat representing the state's 3rd District, echoed Lamont's sentiments and also commended Trump's bodyguards in a statement on X:

My thoughts and prayers are with former President Donald Trump and his family after hearing news of a shooting at his campaign rally today.

I commend the quick response of the Secret Service and other law enforcement officials on scene.
— Rosa DeLauro (@rosadelauro) July 13, 2024

Connecticut's 4th House District Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat, issued a statement saying, "Political violence is unacceptable and has no place in our society. Every American should be free and safe to express and share their views with civility. My thoughts are with the former President and all who were harmed at today’s rally."

Trump, who was anticipated to be announcing his vice presidential running mate at Saturday's rally, had only been on the stage for a few minutes when the loud popping noises were heard.

Democrat Rep. John Larson, from Connecticut's 4th House District, took the opportunity on X to "condemn all forms of violence:"

Thank God President Trump is safe and being treated. Our prayers and thoughts are with him, his family, and all those in attendance at the rally. We thank the Secret Service and law enforcement for acting quickly and condemn all forms of violence.
— Rep. John Larson (@RepJohnLarson) July 13, 2024

Rep. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, of Connecticut's 2nd House District, called the reports following the shooting in Butler "horrific," and wished Trump a "swift recovery" on X.

The reports that former President Trump was shot at a political rally are horrific. It is encouraging that he was able to exit safely with the assistance of the Secret Service. I, along with all Americans of goodwill, wish him a swift recovery and condemn all political violence.
— Rep. Joe Courtney (@RepJoeCourtney) July 13, 2024

U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5, of Connecticut's 2nd House District posted on X:

"I condemn this cowardly act and send prayers to former President Trump," she wrote. "This is not how policy differences are settled in the United States of America."

In a statement shortly after the shooting, President Joe Biden, Trump's rival in the 2024 presidential race, said he had been briefed on the shooting, and called for unity:

"I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well," Biden said."I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it."

With reporting from Patch editor Karen Wall and the Associated Press.