Biden orders independent investigation into Trump assassination attempt

President Joe Biden on Sunday announced a comprehensive review and independent investigation following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.

Speaking from the White House, Biden shared details of his conversation with Trump Saturday evening and outlined the steps being taken to address the incident. “I spoke with Donald Trump. I’m just really grateful that he’s doing well and recovering. We had a short but good conversation, and we’re keeping him and his family in our prayers,” Biden said.

The president also extended his “deepest condolences” to the family of the victim who was killed, Corey Comparatore, whose family praised him as a “hero” after he covered them as he was shot by the perpetrator.

“He was a father, protecting his family from the bullets being fired. They lost his life, and our thoughts are also with those who are injured,” Biden said.

Biden emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “As I said last night, there is no place in America for this kind of violence or any violence for that matter. The assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation. It’s not who we are, and we cannot allow this to happen.”

The president praised the efforts of the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies, highlighting their bravery in protecting the nation. “The Secret Service agencies and other law enforcement individuals risked their lives literally for our nation,” he said.

Biden reiterated the importance of unity, especially in the face of such violence. “Unity is the most elusive goal of all, but nothing is more important than that right now. We may debate and disagree, but we must not lose sight of who we are as Americans,” he urged.

Biden also provided updates on the investigation. “The FBI is leading this investigation, which is still in its early stages. We don’t yet have any information about the motive of the shooter. We know who he is, but I urge everyone not to make assumptions about his motives or affiliations. The FBI and their partner agencies are doing their job, and I’ve instructed that this investigation be thorough and swift.”

In response to the incident, Biden has directed heightened security measures for Trump and a review of security protocols for the upcoming Republican National Convention.

“Mr. Trump, as a former president and nominee of the Republican Party, already receives a heightened level of security. I’ve been consistent in my direction to the Secret Service to provide him with every resource and protective measure necessary to ensure his continued safety,” Biden said, adding that he directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to start Monday.

“And third, I’ve directed an independent review of the security at yesterday’s rally to assess exactly what happened. We’ll share the results of that independent review with the American people.”

Before Biden spoke, the White House announced his trip to Austin, Texas, on Monday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum and be interviewed by NBC’s Lester Holt will now happen in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

He is scheduled to be in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday and Wednesday for NAACP and UNIDOS events, but his campaign has temporarily suspended outgoing communications and ads. A Democratic National Committee-Biden campaign reception at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sunday was canceled.

Earlier Sunday, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed in the White House Situation Room on the shooting by Attorney General Merrick Garland, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and U.S. Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, in addition to national security adviser Jake Sullivan and homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.

White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, vice presidential chief of staff Lorraine Voles, top aide Steve Ricchetti, and White House Counsel Ed Siskel were also in the bunker.

Biden returned to the White House late Saturday after first addressing the nation from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he had planned on spending the weekend.

“There is no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. It is one of the reasons we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this,” Biden said Saturday.

When asked whether he believed it was an assassination attempt, Biden told reporters traveling with him that he had “an opinion but I don’t have any facts.”

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In a prior statement, he and first lady Jill Biden expressed their relief that Trump had survived the attack and that he was “safe and doing well.”

“I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” the president wrote. “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety.”