Expert: 'Secret Service needs to answer some questions here'
07:38 World leaders express shockWorld leaders react with shock to the attack on Ex-President Trump. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen writes on X, she is deeply shocked, wishes Trump a quick recovery, and expresses her condolences to the innocent victim's family. "Political violence has no place in a democracy," writes von der Leyen. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expresses his thoughts with Trump, the participants of the event, and all Americans.
The United Nations condemns the attack on Trump in the strongest terms. "The Secretary-General condemns this act of political violence in the strongest terms," explains the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres. "He wishes President Trump a swift recovery." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shares that he is "appalled" by the news of the attack. "Such violence has no justification and no place in the world. Never should violence prevail." Zelenskyy also wishes Trump a swift recovery.
On Saturday evening (local time), Biden stated that he was grateful that Trump was safe and doing well. In the US, "there is no place for this kind of violence."
07:21 Open questions to the Secret ServiceFBI Agent Kevin Rojek speaks at a press conference, finding it "surprising" that the assailant was able to fire several shots. In response to a question about security measures, he states that such questions should be answered by the Secret Service. Although the name suggests otherwise, the Secret Service is not an intelligence agency but is, among other things, responsible for the security of US presidents and former US presidents.
"They conduct the initial security assessments and determine where the various security sites should be located," Rojek says. "And they are the ones responsible for securing the crime scene." A representative of the Secret Service is not present at the press conference. "Nobody was available," Rojek explains.
07:04 Trump in New Jersey, apparently unharmedA Trump spokesperson posts a video that shows Trump leaving an airport in New Jersey without assistance. His injured ear is not visible in the video. The Republicans have already announced that the nominating convention will proceed as planned; the convention takes place from Monday to Thursday in Milwaukee. There, Trump will be officially nominated as the Republican presidential candidate. US President Biden shared that the Democrats would stop all campaign ads as soon as possible.
06:50 Shooter fired from a roof near the rallyAnthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, states that the alleged assailant fired "multiple shots towards the stage" and was located "on an elevated position outside the event perimeter." This implies that a roof near the rally could be the intended location.
06:39 Apparent 20-Year-Old from Pennsylvania Opened Fire on TrumpAccording to a source familiar with the investigation of "The Washington Post," the person who shot at Trump is a 20-year-old man from Pennsylvania. The FBI officially stated that they have not identified the shooter yet but are "close" to doing so. The shooter is deceased. The Pennsylvania Police have stated that it is too early to tell if it was a lone gunman. However, there is no indication of "any further threat."
06:25 Media: Trump Released from HospitalTrump was discharged from the hospital late Saturday evening (local time) according to a report by the news agency Bloomberg.
06:01 FBI Classifies Shooting at Trump Rally as Attempted MurderFollowing the shootings at a campaign rally in the US state of Pennsylvania, the FBI has classified the incident as an "attempted murder" against former President Donald Trump. "This is an attempt to assassinate our former President Donald Trump," FBI Agent Kevin Rojek said in Butler, the location of the rally. Trump was injured in the ear, and according to official reports, the alleged shooter and one spectator were killed, while two others were seriously injured.
04:41 Biden Phones Trump after AttackUS President Joe Biden personally phoned Trump after the attack, according to the White House, without disclosing the contents of the conversation. On Sunday, Biden will be briefed on the status of the investigations by law enforcement agencies, it was further stated.
03:58 Republicans to Hold Convention Despite Trump AttackThe US Republicans plan to hold their nomination convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as scheduled this week, despite the attack on their presidential candidate Donald Trump. The party and Trump's campaign team made this announcement in a joint statement. The Republicans will begin gathering in Milwaukee on Monday for their nomination convention to officially nominate the 78-year-old Trump as their presidential candidate.
03:54 Shooter Fired from Elevated PositionDuring the attack on the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the alleged shooter opened fire from an "elevated position" outside the event venue. One spectator was killed, and two others were seriously injured, according to the Secret Service. Initially, there was talk of a seriously injured person.
02:55 Trump: I was Shot in the EarFormer US President Donald Trump, in his own words, was shot in the ear during the attack at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. "I was hit by a bullet in the ear," Trump wrote on his self-founded platform Truth Social.
00:33 Security Escorted Trump off Stage after Shots FiredFormer US President Donald Trump was escorted off the stage by security personnel after shots were fired during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. In the images, Trump can be seen with a bloody ear and raised fist.
In the context of the developing story, Joe Biden expressed his gratitude that Donald Trump was safe following the attack and stated that there is no place for such violence in the United States. During the US Presidential Election 2024, political tensions and security measures surrounding presidential candidates are likely to be heightened due to these events.
