Biden on Trump assassination: “There is no place in America for this kind of violence. It is sickening”

US President Joe Biden was at church when the attack on Donald Trump took place at a rally in Pennsylvania. As he left the church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, he was asked if he had been briefed and he replied with a curt: “No.” Shortly afterwards, the White House issued a statement saying that Biden had been briefed on what had happened. And shortly after, the president’s agenda changed to announce a public intervention: “There is no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot be like this. We cannot tolerate this,” he said.

Biden has repeatedly accused his rival of fuelling political violence, calling those convicted of the assault on the Capitol and his incendiary speech “hostages”. This time, however, the victim was his predecessor, who was evacuated by the Secret Service from a rally after apparently being hit by distant gunfire. Although Trump was bleeding slightly from his ear and face, he appeared to be fine, as confirmed by his spokespeople.

Biden tried to speak to him, but was initially unsuccessful because he was with the doctors. “Apparently, he is doing well. I plan to speak to him shortly, I hope, when he gets back on the phone,” the president said during his appearance. Later, he did have a telephone conversation with Trump.

“Trump’s rally should have been able to proceed peacefully without any problems,” Biden said. “The idea that there is political violence or violence in America like this is just unheard of, it’s inappropriate. Everyone should condemn it. Everyone,” the president said, adding that all “all agencies of the federal government” are investigating what happened and are providing him with reports on the latest developments.

In a brief speech, Biden only answered one question as he left, about whether he believed it was an assassination attempt, which is how authorities are investigating it. “I don’t know enough. I have my opinion, but I don’t have any facts. So I want to make sure we have all the facts before I make any comments,” he said. His statement lasted just two minutes. Biden did not respond to questions as he left about whether security at the rally failed and whether he fears for his own safety.

Biden had no public events on his agenda this weekend, which he planned to spend at his beach house. Finally, after the appearance, he decided to return to Washington this Saturday to follow the crisis from the White House.

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