A handful of local leaders reacted to the news and visuals of a failed attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump as he spoke at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
At approximately 6:15 p.m. EST, roughly 15 minutes into his speech, a barrage of gunfire was heard. After grabbing at his right ear, a bloodied Trump, who was grazed by a bullet, was surrounded by Secret Service and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist in a show of defiance. The incident was confirmed to be an assassination attempt by the Federal Bureau of Investigation early the following morning.
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place,” Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social, hours after the incident.
One attendee was killed and two spectators were critically injured, authorities said.
The FBI identified the shooter early Sunday as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Secret Service agents fatally shot Crooks, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue at a farm show in Butler, Pennsylvania, the agency said.
One of the first members of Congress to comment on the matter was John Duarte (R-Hughson) who represents the 13th District that includes the downtown and west side of Turlock, as well as some surrounding neighborhoods.
“I am shocked by the news of a shooting at former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania today,” Duarte posted on X (formerly Twitter) about a half hour after the attack. “This was clearly an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate. Political violence is unacceptable, senseless, and un-American. My thoughts are with former President Trump, his family, and all of those affected.”
Nearly an hour later, State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson) of the 4th District that includes Stanislaus and Merced counties, described any attacks against elected officials as threats to “the very foundation of our democracy.”
“It is imperative that the full force of the law must be utilized to safeguard our democratic principles,” she said. “My prayers are with the former president and those who were injured or killed.”
Later in the day, Assemblyman Juan Alanis (R-Modesto), who represents parts of Stanislaus and Merced counties in District 22, responded to the violent act on X.
“My heart is heavy for our nation tonight,” he said. “The use of violence in our society, especially to achieve political means, is NEVER justified. Hate & terror will never prevail while true Americans, good people from all walks of life, stand in defiance of it. This will forever be the great strength of our nation. Barbara & I both mourn the loss of innocent life. We are both relieved that former President Trump is safe. We call on everyone in our nation to take the political temperature down and remember who we are as Americans.”
Rep. Tom McClintock (R-El Dorado Hills), a devout Christian who represents the 5th Congressional District, which includes Turlock’s east side and Denair, described Trump narrowly avoiding a direct shot to his head as a result of God’s protection.
“At critical moments in our history the hand of Providence has intervened to protect our country, and I believe we witnessed that today,” McClintock said on X. “This should awaken every American to the dangerous and violent lunatic fringe that is stirring in our country and we must ALL unite against it.”
President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Rehoboth Beach Police Department in his home state of Delaware roughly three hours after the assassination attempt, describing it as “sick” while condemning all acts of political violence.
“We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this,” Biden said.
Additionally, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Monday that the state has deployed 61 law enforcement officers to Milwaukee to help security efforts at the Republican National Convention through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Per the press release, the request for these officers had been planned since May 2024 and is being coordinated by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
The deployment includes 40 members of the California Highway Patrol, and officers from Bakersfield, Fresno and Long Beach police departments.
Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the violence in a statement:
“Violence has NO place in our democracy. My thoughts are with President Trump and everyone impacted at the rally today.”
Congressman Josh Harder who once represented Ceres in D.C., issued the following statement, thanking the Secret Service and law enforcement for their work.
“There is no place for political violence in our democracy. Pam and I are praying for former President Donald Trump and everyone effected by tonight’s attack,” he wrote. “Thank you to the swift action from the Secret Service and local law enforcement.”
Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (Yuba City) issued the following statement on the attempted assassination of President Trump:
“Today’s senseless attack was a shocking and horrific act. We must completely shut down those who would use violence to snuff out their political opponents. Janna and I are praying for President Trump and everyone impacted by this violence.”
California’s Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis issued a similar statement to X.
“There is no place for violence in our democracy. My prayers are with former President Trump, his family, and all those in attendance at the rally,” said Kounalakis in the post.
