Former President of the United States Donald Trump claimed that his survival of an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was due to divine intervention. Trump, who was grazed by a bullet on his right ear, shared a message on his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday, announcing that he will address the nation from Wisconsin this week.
"Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as only God prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will not fear but remain steadfast in our faith and defiant against evil," he expressed.
The former president extended his condolences to the other victims of the attack. Authorities confirmed one fatality and two critically injured adults.
"Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of the injured and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horrifically killed," he added.
"At this moment, it is more important than ever that we stay united and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to prevail. I truly love our country, and I love all of you, and I look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin," he concluded.
Trump, 78, flew back to Newark, New Jersey that night. His campaign reported that he was in good condition and, apart from the bullet graze on his ear, he sustained no major injuries.
Security Lapses
The attempt on Trump’s life has sparked questions about the supposed inviolability that should characterize the protection system for a figure of his stature.
The attacker, a 20-year-old identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired from the rooftop of a building approximately 140 meters from the stage where Trump was speaking. After being shot by Secret Service agents, a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle was found near his body.
A Reuters report indicated that law enforcement officials have not yet determined a motive for the attack.
National Public Radio (NPR) revealed that the Secret Service is investigating how someone could get close enough to shoot and injure Trump, calling it a "monumental failure of one of the agency's primary duties."
Crooks fired multiple shots from an "elevated position outside the rally site," according to the agency.
The Associated Press (AP) analyzed over a dozen videos, photos, and satellite images of the location, which indicated that the shooter was "surprisingly close" to the stage where Trump was speaking, NPR reported.
"The rooftop was less than 150 meters from where Trump was speaking, a distance from which a decent marksman could reasonably hit a human-sized target. For reference, 150 meters is a distance at which U.S. Army recruits must hit a human-scale silhouette to qualify with the M16 assault rifle in basic training. The AR-15, like the one used by the shooter at Trump's rally, is the civilian semi-automatic version of the military M16," NPR detailed.
On Saturday night, officials from the FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police held a press conference, which was not attended by any Secret Service representatives.
FBI Special Agent Kevin Rojek remarked that it was "astonishing" that the shooter was able to fire at the stage before being killed.
Two security officials, speaking to NPR on condition of anonymity, stated that there were members of the Secret Service sniper team and the counter-assault team at the rally.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said that his department and the Secret Service are collaborating with law enforcement to investigate the shooting. He affirmed that the security of presidential candidates and their campaign events is one of the department's "most vital priorities."
FAQs About the Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump
In light of the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, many have questions regarding the incident and the security measures in place. Here are some answers to the most pressing inquiries.
How did the attacker manage to get close enough to shoot Donald Trump?
The attacker was positioned on a rooftop approximately 140 meters from the stage where Trump was speaking. This elevated position allowed him to take multiple shots before being neutralized by Secret Service agents.
What weapon did the attacker use?
The attacker used a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle, which was found near his body after he was shot by Secret Service agents.
What are the authorities doing to investigate the incident?
The Secret Service, in collaboration with the FBI and local law enforcement, is conducting an investigation to determine how the attacker managed to get close enough to take the shot and to improve security measures for future events.