Elected officials from Massachusetts and across New England took to social media with messages condemning political violence and expressing well wishes for former president Donald Trump after gunshots rang out at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., on Saturday and Trump said he was shot in the ear.
Trump had blood on his face as members of his security detail rushed him from the stage. Authorities said Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa., opened fire from a rooftop few hundred yards from where the former president was speaking, and killed one rallygoer, injured two others, and wounded Trump on his right ear.
Crooks was killed by authorities, who have not released a motive for the attack.
Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a social media post that “political violence is wrong and I condemn it.”
“I hope everyone who attended the rally is ok and I am glad the former president is safe,” Warren said in the post.
Fellow Democratic Senator Ed Markey said in a social media post that “political violence in all forms is condemnable.” In a follow-up post, Markey said he was “praying for the family of the victim of this shooting and grateful for the safety of the former President and the brave work of Secret Service on the scene.”
Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, of Revere, said in a statement she was “horrified” by the attack and said her “thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump, his family, and the attendees who were harmed.”
“Political violence is never acceptable and threatens our country’s most fundamental values,” said Clark, the second-highest ranking House Democrat. “As deeply as Americans may disagree with one another, we are one people. We cannot allow our differences to erode peace and stability in America.”
Massachusetts Democratic governor Maura Healey also condemned the violence and said she felt “relieved” that Trump was okay.
“Political violence has no place in this country, and all Americans must condemn it,” Healey said in a post on X. “I’m grateful for the swift response from law enforcement. I’m relieved the former President appears to be safe and my thoughts are with all who were at today’s rally.”
Boston Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu called the shooting “despicable and wrong” and said she was “deeply saddened that a rally attendee has lost their life.”
“I wish the former President and all those injured a speedy recovery on this challenging night for our country,” Wu said in a statement.
In a post on X, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell said, “Political violence is never the answer.”
“I strongly condemn this act of violence against former President Trump,” said Campbell, a Democrat. “I’m praying for him and his family as well as any other attendees who may have been hurt.”
Democratic Representatives Richard Neal and Jim McGovern echoed similar sentiments.
“This type of violence is completely unacceptable and has no place in America or our political system,” Neal said in a social media post. “My thoughts are with former President Trump, and I hope that everyone in Butler, PA is safe.”
“There is no place for violence in our country or in our politics, against any political leader or political party,” McGovern said in a social media post. “It is always unacceptable and wrong. Praying that everyone is okay.”
Representative Lori Trahan of Westford said in a post on X: “Political violence of any kind is wrong and has no place in our country. As we await more information about the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania, I wholeheartedly condemn this attack.”
In a statement on social media, Representative Jake Auchincloss of Newton said: “Political violence has no place in our democracy. The loss of innocent life is a tragedy. Thank you to the law enforcement officers who acted quickly to protect former President Trump and attendees at the rally.”
Representative Seth Moulton, a Salem Democrat, said “It doesn’t matter how much we might disagree in politics, violence is never acceptable.”
“I’m glad that the former president is okay & thankful to Secret Service & law enforcement for acting so quickly,” Moulton said in a post.
Massachusetts Democratic Representative Ayanna Pressley said in a post on X, “No one should fear for their life anywhere, including at a political rally. Condemning this brazen act of violence in the strongest terms and praying for everyone impacted.”
In a statement, officials with the Massachusetts Republican Party offered their “deepest and sincerest prayers” for Trump and his family and said the shooting has left them “outraged, horrified, and deeply concerned.”
“For now, we emphasize that as Americans, we must not become so entrenched in division that we forget we are all brothers and sisters under the American flag,” the state GOP’s statement said.
“Whether Democrat or Republican, despite our differences, we all desire peace and prosperity for our nation. Political violence is intolerable, and we must unify as a nation to condemn this horrible incident. We expect justice for this heinous act and pray for President Trump’s swift recovery.”
The Massachusetts Democratic Party also issued a statement on social media condemning the attack.
“Violence has no place in American politics. Our sincere wishes are for the health of the former President, members of the Secret Service and first responders, and all attendees at the event. We pray for peace in our nation and the safety of our political leaders.”
Utah Senator Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee, said he is “Relieved the former President is safe and doing well.”
“Outrageous and tragic that anyone would make such a heinous and evil act,” Romney said in a social media post. “Grateful for the quick response from Secret Service agents. This is a deeply sad day for America.”
Former Massachusetts Republican senator Scott Brown also reacted in a post on X.
“The attempt to assassinate @realDonaldTrump is completely unacceptable,” Brown’s post read. “Thanking God that he appears to be ok. Hope they catch the coward. Thank you to @SecretService and Butler Police. #FightFightFight.”
Reactions to the shooting also poured in from officials in other New England states.
“Political violence is absolutely unacceptable,” Vermont Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders said in a social media post. “I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.”
Vermont Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, said his thoughts “are with former President Trump and his family following today’s shooting.”
“America cannot be a country where we tolerate political violence, of any kind,” Scott said on social media.
New Hampshire Republican Governor Chris Sununu said, “Violence of any form has no place in America.”
“Glad to hear that President Trump is doing well and wish him the best in a speedy recovery,” Sununu said in a social media post.
New Hampshire Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Representatives Chris Pappas and Ann McLane Kuster also condemned the attack.
“Political violence of any kind is never acceptable,” Shaheen said in a post on X. “I’m appreciative of the quick efforts of law enforcement and hope the former President and anyone else injured today recovers fully.”
Hassan said on X, “Political violence is never acceptable. I am praying for former President Trump, his family, those who were in attendance, and our country. Thank you to law enforcement for their response”
Pappas praised the response of the Secret Service and local law enforcement at the scene and said his thoughts “are with former President Trump, his family, and all those in Butler, PA.”
“Political violence has no place in our civic life, and we must condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” Pappas wrote on X.
Kuster called for unity between Democrats and Republicans in the wake of the shooting.
“Political violence must never be tolerated,” Kuster said in a post. “Democrats and Republicans must come together swiftly to condemn this kind of abhorrent and dangerous behavior.”
Maine Senator Angus King, an independent, said in a post on X that he is “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,” King said.
Maine Governor Janet Mills asked her followers on X to join her “in praying for the health and safety of former President Trump, those who attended his rally today, and our country.”
“There is absolutely no place for violence in our politics - none,” Mills said.
Rhode Island Democratic Senator Jack Reed said political violence “is unacceptable and never the answer.”
“It appears former President Trump will make a full recovery. We are glad he is safe,” Reed said in a social media post. “More facts will come out and whoever did this must be held accountable.”
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, a Democrat, said political violence “of any kind is abhorrent and inexcusable.”
“Praying for the safety of former President Trump and all those at the rally in Pennsylvania today,” McKee said in a post on X.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said in a post that his thoughts were with Trump and others who attended the Pennsylvania rally.
“Political violence and gun violence of any kind have absolutely no place in our society and are never acceptable,” Lamont wrote on social media. “We must all as Americans be able to express our views freely and without the fear of violence.”
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said in a social media post that there is “no room in America for political violence.”
“We should all condemn what happened today and I am hoping for the health of the former president and everyone else at the rally,” Murphy said.
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Original story HERE.