Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump fell to the ground with an ear injury amid gunfire during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Trump was immediately removed by nearly a dozen security agents as he raised his arm to the crowd.
Trump arrived in the town of Butler, Pennsylvania, for his last campaign rally before the Republican National Convention. As he was giving his speech, shots rang out, one of which is believed to have wounded him.
The crowd ducked and took shelter behind signs. Screams could be heard as security officers ran to the stands, right behind Trump, while everyone else continued to support the Republican.
Seconds later, the security guards lifted Trump up and he left the place on his feet, escorted by the men in black. The former president had blood on his ear and on the right side of his face. He raised a fist to the crowd.
The New York Times reports that those attending Trump’s campaign events are subject to security checks. They must pass through metal detectors and their bags and belongings are searched for weapons and a host of other prohibited items, precisely to prevent attacks like the one on Saturday.
The shooter at Donald Trump’s rally and an attendee are dead, Butler County District Attorney Richard A. Goldinger confirmed to the Associated Press.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and Assistant President and National Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall met with President Joe Biden to brief him on the situation, the White House said.
Speaking to reporters, President Biden said he has tried to reach out to former President Trump and that the Secret Service is trying to gather more details about the incident. He condemned “political violence” in the United States, but was careful not to get ahead of himself: he said nothing about the other injuries and did not call it an attack.
The attack marks a new crisis point in the US presidential election campaign. Donald Trump has been radicalizing his conservative discourse, further polarizing the campaign, while the Democratic Party candidate, Joe Biden, who is seeking re-election, is strongly questioned by his own party and calls for him to withdraw are increasing after having been exposed during the first presidential debate and in several events, making gross mistakes and appearing hesitant.
News in development.
Source: www.laizquierdadiario.com
