President Joe Biden rejected accusations that he has engaged in violent rhetoric that could have incited the gunman who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally Saturday.
“How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says things like he says? Do you just not say anything because it may incite somebody?” Biden told NBC host Lester Holt in an interview Monday. “Look, I’ve not engaged in that rhetoric. Now, my opponent has engaged in that rhetoric.”
Biden pointed to Trump’s past comments about a “bloodbath” if he loses the 2024 election, his promise to pardon convicted Jan. 6 insurrectionists, and his jokes after Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was attacked by a home intruder with a hammer.
Republicans, including Trump’s newly tapped vice presidential nominee, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, have blamed rhetoric and hostility toward Trump by Biden and Democrats for the assassination attempt. Helen Comperatore, the widow of the fireman killed in the attack, Corey Comperatore, told the New York Post that she declined to take a call from Biden but absolved him of blame.
Biden was asked about comments he made to campaign donors on July 8, when he said: “It’s time to put Trump in the bullseye.”
“It was a mistake to use the word,” Biden said. “I didn’t say crosshairs. I meant focus on him, focus on what he’s doing. Focus on his policies. Focus on the number of lies he told in the debate.”
− Joey Garrison
Developments:
∎ Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Biden’s security detail has been adjusted in light of the attack on Trump, whose Secret Service protection was enhanced. Mayorkas also told reporters an independent review of the attempt on Trump’s life will begin in the coming days and its findings will be made public.
∎ An Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy was stationed Monday outside the Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where Crooks had worked as a dietary aide. “We are shocked and saddened to learn of his involvement as Crooks performed his job without concern and his background check was clean,” said Marcie Grimm, the facility’s administrator.
∎ The shooting has raised grave security concerns as thousands of GOP politicians, delegates, supporters, and media personnel attend the Republican National Convention, which began Monday in Milwaukee.
∎ Top officials at the Trump campaign told staff members they are re-doubling security measures at their offices in light of the assassination attempt. “We are enhancing the armed security presence with 24/7 officers on-site,” said a staff memo signed by senior campaign officials Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita.
Slain fireman’s widow rejects Biden’s call but doesn’t blame him
The widow of Corey Comperatore, the fireman who was killed protecting his family during the shooting at Trump’s rally Saturday, said she rejected a phone call from Biden out of deference to her husband but that she holds no grudges against the president, the New York Post reported Monday.
Helen Comperatore told the newspaper she has not heard from Trump but Biden’s office reached out, presumably to offer condolences. She described herself as not involved in politics, adding that her husband was a “devout Republican” who would not have wanted her to talk to Biden.
“I support Trump. That’s who I’m voting for, but I don’t have ill will towards Biden,” said Helen Comperatore, according to the Post. “He didn’t do anything bad to my husband. A 20-year-old despicable kid did.”
DA not planning to file charges in Trump shooting
BETHEL PARK, Pa. − Butler County District Attorney Richard A. Goldinger said Monday his office isn’t planning to file any criminal charges related to the assassination attempt at former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally, which the FBI said it’s investigating as potentially domestic terrorism.
Goldinger said because gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks died at the scene and appeared to be working on his own, there are no charges to file. Goldinger added he was unaware of any potential criminal charges being filed against Crooks’ parents, who live in Bethel Park, about 50 miles from where the shooting took place.
Any criminal charges would be communicated by the Pennsylvania State Police, Goldinger said. State Police Spokesman Lieutenant Adam Reed said there are no plans to hold a press conference Monday with updates on the investigation.
The FBI is trying to determine a motive for the attack and said Monday it has gained access to Crooks’ phone, although it’s not clear what information that shed. The bureau also said its specialists are analyzing the shooter’s electronic devices as part of an investigation that has included nearly 100 interviews and a search of his home and vehicle.
− Sheridan Hendrix, The Columbus Dispatch
Questions remain over how the gunman was able to get shots off
But questions remain about how Crooks was able to open fire with an AR-15-style rifle from a rooftop about 400 feet outside the rally. CNN, citing a source familiar with the investigation, said the Secret Service did not sweep the building, instead leaning on state and local law enforcement to conduct security at that location. Pennsylvania State Police, however, told CNN they were not responsible for the area where the building was located.
Trump was wounded in his ear, one spectator was killed and two others were critically injured. The Secret Service is working with federal, state and local agencies to understand details of the shooting and “how we can prevent an incident like this from ever taking place again,” Cheatle’s statement said.
The Secret Service has been the subject of scrutiny and criticism since the shooting occurred. At a media briefing Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden still has confidence in Cheatle.
“The men and women of the Secret Service have a hard job,” Jean-Pierre said. “Their mission is critical, and we need all hands on deck in this moment and right now we’re focused on getting all the facts so we can get to the bottom of what happened.”
Kevin Rojek, a special agent in charge of the FBI’s field office in Pittsburgh, said the gunman appears to have acted alone and there was no ongoing threat to the public.
− Contributing: Joey Garrison
Biden extends Secret Service protection to RFK Jr.
The Biden administration will extend Secret Service protection to independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following the assassination attempt on Trump.
“In light of this weekend’s events, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy Jr.,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said at a White House press briefing Monday.
Kennedy has long demanded Secret Service protection during his long-shot presidential run but had previously been denied. Kennedy is the son of the late Democratic icon Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated by a gunman as a Democratic primary candidate in 1968. Kennedy’s uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was the last president to be assassinated.
Trump pushed on social media Monday for Kennedy to get Secret Service protection, and later Kennedy addressed rumors about the subject of their morning meeting. Politico reported Trump was seeking Kennedy’s endorsement.
“Our main topic was national unity, and I hope to meet with Democratic leaders about that as well,” Kennedy said on the X platform. “No, I am not dropping out of the race.”
− Joey Garrison
Gun store near Crooks’ home cooperating in investigation
A gun store in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, one mile from Crooks’ home is working with law enforcement agencies investigating Saturday’s attack. Josh Rowe, co-owner of Allegheny Arms and Gun Works, said police reached out to him Sunday morning.Rowe did not address whether he recognized Crooks as a customer but pointed out he does not often work at the cash cashier. “If we had any info, we would have gone to the police,” he said Monday.Rowe said his gun store has an open line with local law enforcement in any gun-related crime, adding, “We are community members, but we are also stewards.”
− Bryce Buyakie
King Charles reaches out to Trump
“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” Starmer wrote in a post on X.
− Rebecca Morin
Shooter was planning to attend college in fall term
Crooks was set to attend classes this fall at Robert Morris University, a school spokesman confirmed to reporters Monday. Staff at the private university said they would “stand ready” to assist in the law enforcement investigation, although Crooks had yet to attend any classes.
“Our hearts go out to former President Trump, the family of Mr. Corey Comperatore, and anyone physically or emotionally harmed by this tragic event,” said Brian Edwards, Chief Brand Officer at RMU. “We stand against violence in all its forms and are committed to fostering a safe and supportive community for all.”
The university is located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, roughly 20 miles from Crooks’ home in Bethel Park. The university did not share which program he would be studying under.
Crooks attended the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, where he graduated with an associate’s degree in engineering science in May. The college said in a statement that it will cooperate with investigators and release information in accordance with policies and protocols.
“We are grateful that former President Trump is safe and recovering, and we extend our condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore on their loss,” the college said, referring to the Pennsylvania firefighter who was killed while shielding his family from gunfire.
− Garret Roberts, Kristine Phillips, USA TODAY Network
Crooks was member of local sportsmen’s club
Crooks, a one-time registered Republican and a nursing home worker with no criminal record, was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club about eight miles from his home.
The club’s sprawling complex of 180 acres includes a rifle, pistol, archery and competition range, an area for dog training and a clubhouse, according to its website. With over 2,000 local members, it also provides safety classes and youth activities. Robert Bootay III, a lawyer for the club, confirmed Crooks was a member but would not provide additional details, citing the ongoing investigation.
“The Club fully admonishes the senseless act of violence that occurred on Saturday,” Bootay wrote in a statement to USA TODAY on Monday. “The Club also offers its sincerest condolences to the Comperatore family and extends prayers to all of those injured including the former President.”
− Bryce Buyakie
Lawmaker who sat near Trump at rally pushes for independent probe
“I’m not blaming anybody,” Kelly said. “I’m hearing now people saying that the Secret Service didn’t do their job. Somebody else didn’t do their job. Let’s wait and see how this plays out before we start doing the criticism of who didn’t do what when they should have.”
Kelly, who was thrilled to have Trump back in his congressional district for Saturday’s rally, was seated to the right of the former president, about 50 feet away, when gunfire erupted. Trump began talking about the economy and inflation, Kelly said, “and then those shots rang out.”
“It was pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,” he said. “I looked up, saw the president and said, ‘Oh, my God. Somebody just shot the president. Behind me in the grandstands, I heard people say, ‘He’s been shot, he’s been shot.’ I looked back over my shoulder and about 12 rows up in the stands some people were surrounding somebody who was down on the ground. And it just kept going. People were yelling and screaming. Secret Service was on top of the president right away, within a second or two.”
− Matthew Rink, Erie Times-News
All quiet near home of Trump shooter
A red SUV and a blue pickup were parked Monday in the driveway of the modest family home where Crooks apparently lived with his parents. On Monday, two unidentified law enforcement officers knocked on the Crooks family home at about 10 a.m. and were let inside. The officers emerged about five minutes later. A short time later, two other officers began knocking on neighbors’ doors and speaking with those who answered. One of the officers wore a shirt that said FBI Pittsburgh SWAT.
Neighbors who were evacuated Saturday night were allowed to return to their homes around 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Police then tightened the perimeter to just the street, allowing reporters and curious locals to get a view of the Crooks’ brick home for the first time since law enforcement descended on it following the shooting. Several neighbors who live down the street from Crooks said they had either never met him or only saw him walking around the neighborhood.
Sandy Kovalik, 66, said she’s never met Crooks or his parents but has walked past their home hundreds of times. Maura Eichner said she may have seen Crooks walking to work and at a local supermarket, but only briefly. She said it’s been difficult to wrap her mind around the Trump rally shooting, especially because the suspect in the case is a neighbor.“I don’t understand why he tried to kill the president,” she said.
Secret Service chief ‘confident’ in security for GOP convention
Chleatle said the Secret Service will “participate fully” with the independent review ordered by Biden.
“The incident in Pennsylvania has understandably led to questions about potential updates or changes to the security for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee,” the Cheatle’s statement said. “I am confident in the security plan our Secret Service RNC coordinator and our partners have put in place, which we have reviewed and strengthened in the wake of Saturday’s shooting.”
Cheatle said the plan is designed to be flexible and that the agency will “continuously adapt our operations as necessary in order to ensure the highest level of safety and security for convention attendees, volunteers and the City of Milwaukee.”
Fundraiser brings in millions for shooting victims
A high-profile fundraiser for the victims in Saturday’s assassination attempt on Trump at a Pennsylvania political rally has topped $4 million. Donors include Dana White and Kid Rock. The GoFundMe, which says it is “President Trump authorized” is organized by Meredith O’Rourke, who is also Trump’s top finance person, and is raising money for those “wounded or killed” from the shooting. One spectator, Corey Comperatore, was killed and two others were critically injured.
The GoFundMe, with an initial goal of $1 million, had drawn support from more than 50,000 online donors as of Monday afternoon.
− Emily DeLetter
Shooting could rewrite GOP convention script
”The speech…was going to be a humdinger,” Trump said. “Honestly, it’s going to be a whole different speech now.”
− David Jackson, Karissa Waddick and Holly Rosenkrantz
RNC 2024 live updates:Trump stresses new theme after shooting
Photo of wounded Trump featured on campaign website
Trump vowed not to let a would-be assassin’s bullet bar him from attending the Republican National Convention that opens Monday with Trump as the star and presumptive nominee.
“I was going to delay my trip to Wisconsin, and The Republican National Convention, by two days, but have just decided that I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else,” Trump said on his Truth Social account Sunday. He arrived in Milwaukee on Sunday and told the Washington Examiner he has completely rewritten his keynote speech, which he is set to deliver Thursday.
Analysis:This election was already shattering norms. Then the Trump rally shooting happened.
Trump backers blame Democrats
The shooting provoked deep anger and outrage among Trump supporters as shock quickly turned to blame. Already seen as a persecuted figure by many in his party, Trump again was cast as a man whose critics will stop at nothing to keep him from public office. A top Trump campaign aide and a leading candidate to be his running mate both said rhetoric from Biden and Democrats contributed to the climate that led to the shooting.
“Leftist activists, Democrat donors and now even (Biden) have made disgusting remarks and descriptions of shooting Donald Trump,” Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita said on X. “It’s high time they be held accountable for it, the best way is through the ballot box.”
Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, who is speaking at the convention and is on Trump’s short list of potential VP candidates, said Biden’s campaign has portrayed Trump as “an authoritarian fascist” and said such rhetoric “led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.” Read more here.
− Zac Anderson
Assassination attempt:American politics roiled on eve of GOP convention
What rifle was used in the Trump shooting?
The Crooks family’s digital footprint is small, but some of their few online tracks tie them to internet marketplaces that buy or sell guns. Read more here.
− Kenny Jacoby and Lucas Aulbach
Link to gunman’s dad:Online footprint ties father to gun marketplaces
Biden condemns political violence: ‘We must stand together’
Biden called on Americans to “lower the temperature in our politics” in a rare address from the Oval Office on Sunday night, imploring the nation not to allow the normalization of violence after Saturday’s attempted assassination.
The president echoed remarks made Sunday afternoon, urging Americans to “unite as one nation.” In his address, Biden said political differences should be resolved “at the ballot box … not with bullets.”
“We’re friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we are fellow Americans. We must stand together,” he said. “There is no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence ever, period. No exceptions. We can’t allow this violence to be normalized.
“Disagreement is inevitable in American democracy. It’s part of human nature. Politics must never be a battlefield or, God forbid, a killing field,” Biden said. “I believe politics ought to be an arena for peaceful debate, to pursue justice, to make decisions guided by the Declaration of Independence in our constitution.”
Biden referenced the victims and cited other incidents of political violence, including the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and the attack on the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2022.
Democrats adjust security measures ahead of DNC
Chicago Alderman Brian Hopkins, chairman of the city’s Public Safety Committee, said the assassination attempt on Trump “will have an impact on everything we do” for securing the upcoming Democratic National Convention in August.
“It’s a reminder that having an effective security plan is not good enough if it’s not executed perfectly,” Hopkins said Sunday. “If there’s any vulnerability or weak link, it can be exploited, which clearly played a role in yesterday’s events.”
The longtime city council member did not anticipate any concrete changes in plans to protect Biden, since he isn’t expected to speak outside the convention hall. But Hopkins expected adjustments to security measures around the convention hall, where protest groups have sued the city for permission to picket outside.
“They want unfettered access to everything and this is a reminder of why that simply can’t be allowed,” he said. “We can’t have radical protest groups who often engage in inflammatory rhetoric, we can’t have them on the sidewalk outside the convention center. It simply isn’t possible.”
The Secret Service plans to release the finalized security perimeter for the event on July 25, Hopkins said.
− Michael Loria
How the shooting unfolded:Trump assassination attempt: Graphics, maps show you what happened
Contributing: Michael Loria, Aysha Bagchi, and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY; Reuters
