The attempted assassination of former US President and current Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump marks a dark new chapter in American politics. This attack is not just a threat to Trump's life but a broader assault on democracy and the fundamental right of the people to choose their leaders.
He was shot at during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, with Secret Service agents swarming him after a series of gunshots.
Video footage showed that while this gunfire set off panic, he pumped his fist in a show of defiance as he apparently yelled "fight, fight, fight" before agents ushered him into his vehicle.
However, he was released from the hospital late Saturday after he said he was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of his right ear. Later, he returned to his home in New Jersey.
The attempted assassination incident over Trump unfold is a horrible and scary situation of US politics. US President Joe Biden said Saturday that “everybody must condemn” the suspected assassination attempt on Trump.
In a post to his Truth Social network, Trump said a bullet pierced the "upper part" of his right ear. "I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin," Trump wrote. "Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening."
On that time, blood was clearly visible on Trump's ear and face as protection officers rushed him away.
World leaders speak out against political violence following the shooting that wounded the former US president.
Presidents and prime ministers of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile China, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Taiwan, Turkey and United Kingdom already expressed their support and solidarity for Trump.
European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also condemned the attack on Trump.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said he was “shocked” by the news of the attack. “I wish him a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with those affected. I condemn this attack. Political violence has no place in our democracies. NATO Allies stand together to defend our freedom & values,” said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.
Earlier today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. However, there was no immediate information on his motivations. The FBI said that the incident is an "active and ongoing investigation".
Officials said members of the US Secret Service counterassault team killed the shooter. The authorities said that two spectators were critically injured in this incident.
The shooting occurred in the lead-up to the November 5 election, where Trump faces a rematch against Democratic President Joe Biden. The incident has added a dramatic and unsettling twist to an already heated political contest, with many speculating that it could influence the election's outcome in Trump's favor.
As the nation grapples with this shocking event, the overarching message from leaders worldwide is clear: political violence must be condemned unequivocally, and the democratic process must be upheld and protected at all costs.
BDST: 1800 HRS, JULY 14, 2024
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