President Joe Biden said Sunday there’s “no place in America” for political violence “or any kind of violence for that matter” following the assassination attempt on the life of his rival, former President Donald Trump.
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He also urged patience as the FBI takes the lead in investigating the shooting at Trump’s Saturday campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“We don't yet have any information about the motive of the shooter. We know who he is,” Biden said from the White House. “I urge everyone, everyone, please don't make assumptions about his motives or his affiliations. Let the FBI do their job, and their partner agencies do their job.”
The FBI has identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Biden spoke briefly with Trump last night, and said he’s “sincerely grateful that he’s doing well and recovering.”
He also extended condolences to the family of 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who was killed during the assassination attempt.
“He was a father, who was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired,” Biden said. “And he lost his life, God love him.”
The president said he’s ordered the Secret Service to provide Trump with “every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure his continued safety.”
He further ordered the Secret Service to review all security measures in place for the Republican National Convention, scheduled to begin in Milwaukee on Monday.
Biden also ordered an independent review of national security measures in place at Trump’s rally, and promised to release the results of that investigation to the American people.
“We must unite as one nation,” Biden said in closing. “We must unite as one nation to demonstrate who we are. “
Biden said he would give further remarks in an address from the Oval Office on Sunday night.