By Mary O’KEEFE

“The FBI continues to investigate the shooting incident at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, as an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and potential domestic terrorism,” according to an updated release by the FBI on July 15.

For a brief moment, both sides of the aisle put down their campaign rhetoric to express their outrage at this act and shared prayers for Mr. Trump, his family and the victims including Corey Comperatore of Sarver, Pennsylvania who was murdered during the rally by the attempted assassin.

Two others who attended the rally were injured, according to Pennsylvania State troopers.

Lois Lee Brand Billings, president of the Glendale, Burbank, La Cañada, La Crescenta, Montrose, Sunland-Tujunga Republican Assembly stated: “Glendale-Burbank-Crescenta Valley Republican Assembly (GBRA) is praying for former President Trump, his family and the unfortunate victims and their families. We hope this tragic event serves to ameliorate rhetoric on all sides, and brings the country back to ‘one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.’” 

Susan Matrodemos of the Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club: “The Democratic Party does not condone violence as a form of political protest. 

AR-15s should be restricted to police & military use.” [It has been reported the gunman had an AR-15 in his possession.]

Rep. Judy Chu stated on social media X: “Political violence and gun violence never have a place in America – never. My thoughts are with the innocent victims’ families, and I’m wishing a swift recovery to Donald Trump and everyone impacted in Pennsylvania.”

Rep. Adam Schiff stated on X: “The assassination attempt on former President Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania was horrifying … And it must be condemned by all Americans. Unequivocally.”

Former President Trump has been active on social media since the attempted assassin’s bullet struck his ear. He has made an appearance at the Republican National Convention that convened this week where he received enough delegate votes to officially become the Republican Party’s nomination for the November 2024 election.

There have been calls by both Republicans and Democrats to investigate how the attempted assassin, a 20-year-old Pennsylvania resident, was able to carry a firearm onto a rooftop near the rally platform.