Alabama legislators speak out about attack on former president
By Sherri Blevins
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BUTLER, Pa. – Many Americans are still in shock after the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024, where tragically, one rallygoer was killed and two others seriously wounded. The alleged gunman, twenty-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was also shot and killed after the attack.
Julie Carr Smyth, a reporter for the Associated Press, reported the following, “At 6:02 p.m. Saturday, to the strains of “God Bless the U.S.A.,” former President Donald Trump took the stage at the fairgrounds in Butler, Pennsylvania, waving at the cheering crowd and settling into his regular rally speech under a scorching midsummer sun.”
Smyth continued, “A few short minutes later, Trump pointed to a projection of a chart that showed a spike in illegal border crossings under the man he’s running against, President Joe Biden. ‘That chart is a couple of months old, and if you want to see something really sad—’
Smyth said that was when at least five shots rang out as Trump cupped his ear and dark-suited Secret Service agents rushed toward him. Trump dropped to the ground as agents yelled, “Get down!” The huge crowd quickly ducked, and many followed Trump’s lead and dropped to the ground. Sadly, two spectators were critically injured, and former Butler County Fire Chief Corey Comperatore, age 50, was killed. The governor of Pennsylvania called Comperatore a hero because he dove on top of his family to protect them from the gunfire.
Smyth said that moments later, Trump stood as the Secret Service agents crowded around him, covering his body with their own. They tried to usher the former president offstage to his left as blood trickled from his ear. “Wait, wait, wait,” Trump said. He pumped his fist as the crowd cheered and seemed to mouth the word “fight” before agents hustled him down the stairs and to a waiting black SUV. Trump pumped his fist one more time before getting into the vehicle.
Trump did not let the attack stop him from pursuing the presidency. On Sunday, the former president boarded his private jet and flew to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention. However, the attack did cause Trump to change the focus of his planned convention speech, according to USA Today. Trump stated, “The speech will be a lot different, a lot different than it would have been two days ago.” He told the reporter that his new speech would meet the historical moment, and he would include a call for national unity.
MVN spoke with representatives for U.S. Senator Katie Britt, Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville about their reactions to the attempt.
Senator Britt said she and her husband Wesley were praying for President Trump and everyone at the rally. She called July 13 “one of the darkest days in modern American history.” She went on to say, “I just want to be clear to the people listening that political violence of any kind is completely un-American. It is deplorable, it is intolerable, and it is unequivocally unacceptable.” Finally, she said of July 13, “Tonight is a time to come together in prayer as one nation under God. Political violence of any kind is unequivocally unacceptable and unquestionably un-American. I’m reminded of one of my favorite verses, Romans 12:17-21.” Those verses state, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord. Instead, if your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” (NLT)
Speaker Ledbetter stated, “The attempt made on President Trump’s life was an act of terrorism and an attack on democracy. My prayers are with him and the families of the Americans who were tragically killed during this senseless act of violence.”
Tuberville commented, “This has gone too far. This was a shot at Donald Trump, former president, but it was also a shot at millions of people across the country who love America, love what we are, who we are, what we stand for, and our values.” Tuberville added, “There’s a sign of relief among Republicans in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, but it’s also a sign of encouragement of how strong Donald Trump is, the leader he is, how he’s come through this, been very positive, and understands the significance of him and what he means to our country and the future of our country.”
Former President Trump made an appearance at the Republican National Convention Monday night and was welcomed by an auditorium full of excited supporters who were thankful to see him alive and still fighting. Trump is scheduled to address his party on Thursday night when he is set to accept the nomination as Republican Nominee for President of the United States of America.
