Reactions in the US to Trump shooting at rally

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Here are reactions from politicians, business leaders and others in the United States after Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. 

See also reactions from foreign leaders here, and from investors here.

REPUBLICAN FORMER US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. 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, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"

DEMOCRATIC US PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

"I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it."

DEMOCRATIC US VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS

"I have been briefed on the shooting at former President Trump’s event in Pennsylvania. Doug and I are relieved that he is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting. We are grateful to the United States Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their immediate action. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence."

FORMER US FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP

"America, the fabric of our gentle nation is tattered, but our courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one. When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and (son) Barron's life, were on the brink of devastating change."

"A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration. The core facets of my husband's life - his human side - were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times."

"This morning, ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence."

DEMOCRATIC US SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER

“I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country.”

REPUBLICAN US HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON  

“I have been briefed by law enforcement and am continuing to monitor the developments. This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned.”

"Congress will conduct a full investigation of the tragedy to determine where there were lapses in security."

REPUBLICAN US SENATOR J.D. VANCE, A POSSIBLE TRUMP RUNNING MATE

"Today is not just some isolated incident. The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination."

REPUBLICAN US SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL

"... all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics. We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement."

DEMOCRATIC US HOUSE MINORITY LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES

"My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable."

DEMOCRATIC US REPRESENTATIVE AND FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI

"As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe."

US ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND

“The FBI, ATF, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Department’s National Security Division are currently working with the Secret Service as well as state and local law enforcement partners on the ground in Butler, Pennsylvania. My heart is with the former President, those injured, and the family of the spectator killed in this horrific attack. We will not tolerate violence of any kind, and violence like this is an attack on our democracy. The Justice Department will bring every available resource to bear to this investigation.”

REPUBLICAN FORMER US PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH 

"Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response."

DEMOCRATIC FORMER US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

"There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery."

REPUBLICAN US REPRESENTATIVE MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE:

"Democrats wanted this to happen. They’ve wanted Trump gone for years and they’re prepared to do anything to make that happen."

DEMOCRATIC FORMER US REPRESENTATIVE GABBY GIFFORDS, WHO WAS SHOT IN 2011 AND LATER FOUNDED A GUN CONTROL GROUP:

"Political violence is terrifying. I know. I’m holding former President Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable -- never." 

NO. 2 US HOUSE REPUBLICAN STEVE SCALISE, WHO WAS SHOT IN 2017 IN AN ACT OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE:

"For weeks Democrat leaders have been fueling ludicrous hysteria that Donald Trump winning re-election would be the end of democracy in America. Clearly we’ve seen far left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past. This incendiary rhetoric must stop."

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN OF PENNSYLVANIA

"What we cannot assume is that these kind of things can't happen again and we just have to turn down the temperature on this," Fetterman told CNN's State of the Union program.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR RON JOHNSON OF WISCONSIN

"The Department of Justice, the Secret Service, the FBI need to be completely transparent; they haven't been so in the past," Johnson told CNN, referring to the investigation of the shooting.

AMAZON FOUNDER JEFF BEZOS:   

"Our former President showed tremendous grace and courage under literal fire tonight. So thankful for his safety and so sad for the victims and their families."

APPLE CEO TIM COOK:

"I pray for President Trump's rapid recovery. My thoughts are with him, the other victims and the Trump family. I strongly condemn this violence."

(Reporting by John Kruzel, Orathai Sriring and Richard CowanEditing by Nick Zieminski, Deepa Babington, Christian Schmollinger, Will Dunham and Frances Kerry)