PORTLAND, Maine — Former President Donald Trump was injured Saturday when he was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, just days before the Republican National Convention, where he is expected to be named the party's candidate for the November election.
The shooting is being described by government officials as an assassination attempt, and an investigation is underway.
Trump’s campaign said he was doing “fine” after the shooting. The presumptive GOP candidate for president issued a statement on social media afterward saying a bullet had pierced his upper ear, and he thanked Secret Service and law enforcement for their quick response.
Government agencies reported that Secret Service had killed the apparent shooter, whose body was reportedly found in an area outside the venue where the rally was being held. A spectator at the rally was also killed, and several others were hurt, some with critical injuries.
President Joe Biden, who is slated for a rematch with Trump in the fall but is facing a growing number of calls to bow out of the race, said of the incident: "It's sick."
The White House issued a statement Saturday night saying Biden was briefed about the incident and had apparently spoken with Trump several hours after the shooting occurred.
“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” Biden said in a public statement.
'I can't help but be very concerned'
As news of the apparent assassination attempt quickly spread around the globe, Maine political leaders began to share their reactions, denouncing violence "of any kind" and offering prayers.
Maine's senior senator expressed relief that the former president was doing OK but said she was "horrified" by the news.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, spoke with NEWS CENTER Maine's Zach Blanchard shortly after the incident occurred. Despite her public decision to not back the former president in his run for another stay at the White House, she said it is more important than ever to put differences aside.
"Zach, I can't help but be very concerned. This kind of violence, any kind of violence, is completely alarming and just cannot be allowed to happen in this country," Collins said. "People need to understand that we can disagree on issues without hating one another, much less resorting to violence. And we need to get back to a sense of civility, respect, and certainly nonviolent dialogue."
In a statement on social media, Collins also applauded the work of Secret Service and emergency officials for their swift action.
Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said he was glad to hear Trump was safe and denounced political violence.
"Thanks to the quick action of the Secret Service, I am glad to hear former President Trump is safe and wish him a speedy recovery. We can disagree on politics, but political violence of any kind is wrong and antithetical to the core American values we believe in," he said in a statement.
U.S. Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree, both Democrats, both condemned the violence and offered prayers of comfort to the president and others impacted by the shooting in posts shared on their social media platforms.
"Political violence of any kind is never acceptable. Ever," Pingree shared Saturday night in a post on X. "My thoughts are with the former President, his family, and those who were in attendance."
Golden also expressed hope for swift accountability to the person or persons responsible in the incident.
"I am praying for former President Trump and others at the rally today in PA, as well as for law enforcement on the scene," he wrote on social media. "I pray whoever is responsible is quickly apprehended and held accountable. There must be no room for violence of any kind in our politics."
Gov. Janet Mills decried the violence in a statement and called for people to come together to pray.
"Please join me in praying for the health and safety of former President Trump, those who attended his rally today, and our country," she stated. "There is absolutely no place for violence in our politics - none."
Political Brew
Political Brew analysts Garrett Mason and Betsy Sweet spoke with NEWS CENTER Maine shortly after news spread that former president and presumptive GOP nominee was shot.