MADISONVILLE, La. (BRPROUD) - In a Monday statement, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy said political violence "has no place in America" after Donald Trump was shot in the ear and led off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13.
“Why? That's what most Americans are asking themselves today, ‘Why did President Trump almost lose his life?’" Kennedy said.
According to the Associated Press, Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt. The FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Pennsylvania. The agency said the investigation is ongoing.
Kennedy said he had no words to describe "how horrible the attempt on President Trump's life was" but asked that people "not jump to conclusions" and wait to get information.
"I don't have an answer for why, but what I will respectfully suggest is that we wait and try to figure out why together. Don't make assumptions. Don't jump to conclusions. I've already heard some people saying, ‘Well, the shooter was left-wing,’ or ‘the shooter was a right-winger,’ or ‘it was all political.’ We just don't know. Maybe he wasn’t left-wing or right-wing. Maybe he was just a broken wing. Maybe he was a nut. Maybe he was mentally ill," Kennedy said.
According to Kennedy's team, Corey Comperatore attended the rally with his family and died while protecting his wife and daughter.
“So, I just wanted to say that — it was in my head and on my heart — to the people of America and the people of Louisiana: We'll figure this out together. In the meantime, let’s all respect each other’s humanity.”
Read his statement below.
“Why? That's what most Americans are asking themselves today, ‘Why did President Trump almost lose his life?’
First, there aren’t words in English, it seems to me, to describe how horrible the attempt on President Trump's life was. I know it could’ve been worse, but it was really, really bad. And, inevitably, Americans today, as I said, are asking themselves, ‘Why?’
Look, America hasn't been happy for a while, and this crosses all political spectrums. It costs more to live in our country today. Many people on both sides of the political spectrum are upset about the open border. Crime is . . . still bad. People are scared. They see the rise of China and the rise of Iran and the rise of Russia, and they instinctively know that [those regimes’] domination creates a world that's not safe for democracy or America. And this has led to disagreement in our politics. That disagreement is inevitable.
It's been especially sharp because I think it reflects two things: It reflects the unhappiness that I've talked about, but it also reflects the fact that all Americans, they care deeply about their families, and they care deeply about their country.
I don't have an answer for why, but what I will respectfully suggest is that we wait and try to figure out why together. Don't make assumptions. Don't jump to conclusions. I've already heard some people saying, ‘Well, the shooter was left-wing,’ or ‘the shooter was a right-winger,’ or ‘it was all political.’ We just don't know. Maybe he wasn’t left-wing or right-wing. Maybe he was just a broken wing. Maybe he was a nut. Maybe he was mentally ill.
I've also seen people pointing fingers at our government officials about how could they have allowed this to happen. Well, the American people deserve answers to that, but let's wait and get the facts.
So, I just wanted to say that — it was in my head and on my heart — to the people of America and the people of Louisiana: We'll figure this out together. In the meantime, let’s all respect each other’s humanity.”
Becky and I are praying for the family of the attendee who died this evening at Pres. Trump’s rally as well as for the quick recovery of all others who are injured. Political violence has no place in America.
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy
