Why can’t Biden call it what it is?
President Biden addressed the nation following a shooting incident at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Trump narrowly escaped harm. Biden, speaking from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, refrained from characterizing the incident as an assassination attempt, citing the need for more information before making definitive statements.
“I don’t know enough. I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts,” Biden told reporters in response to questions about whether he believed it was an assassination attempt. He emphasized the importance of gathering all relevant details before commenting further.
Initial reports from the White House described the incident as an “incident,” with Biden receiving an initial briefing shortly after news broke. Meanwhile, initial media coverage, including a headline from CNN, initially inaccurately reported that Secret Service agents intervened after Trump fell at the rally, later correcting the story.
Biden, who had just left church when asked by reporters, confirmed he had been briefed on the situation and expressed relief that Trump was safe. “I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well,” Biden stated, adding that he and First Lady Jill Biden were praying for Trump, his family, and everyone at the rally affected by the incident.
The President later issued a more formal statement, condemning the violence and expressing gratitude to the Secret Service for ensuring Trump’s safety. “There’s no place for this kind of violence in America,” Biden asserted, urging national unity in denouncing such acts.
Behind the scenes, Biden was briefed by top security officials, including Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The incident sparked political reactions, with a Trump operative criticizing Biden’s previous election rhetoric as creating a hazardous political climate.
The Biden campaign responded by pausing all outbound communications and swiftly withdrawing television ads. A former Trump administration official framed Trump’s response to the incident as pivotal in shaping the election narrative.
Trump himself later confirmed being struck by a bullet, describing the moment he realized he had been shot and the ensuing chaos. The shooting resulted in fatalities, including the suspected shooter and a rally attendee.
In summary, Biden’s measured response underscored the need for factual clarity amid a volatile situation, while reaffirming the nation’s stance against violence and advocating for unity in the face of such events.