Biden draws heat for comment this week saying ‘It’s time to put Trump in the bullseye’
President Joe Biden drew criticism from conservatives for his comment on a call with donors earlier this week that “it’s time to put Trump in the bullseye.”
The official X social media account of the Republican caucus on the House Judiciary Committee tweeted Biden’s quote, and noted, “That just happened.”
“Defend that. Go ahead,” tweeted Fox News contributor Joe Concha about the comment. “Try to defend that rhetoric after what we all just witnessed with Trump coming with a centimeter of being assassinated.
Biden said in the call Monday with donors, “I have one job, and that’s to beat Donald Trump. I’m absolutely certain I’m the best person to be able to do that.”
“So, we’re done talking about the debate. It’s time to put Trump in the bullseye,” Biden said.
– Dan Mangan
House committee leaders call for hearings with the Secret Service
Several Republican House committee leaders are calling for briefings and a congressional hearing with Secret Service members about the apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., said he has contacted the Secret Service to schedule a briefing on the shooting and to set a congressional hearing with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
“There are many questions and Americans demand answers,” Comer said in a statement, adding that the committee will send a “formal invitation” to the Secret Service soon.
The Republican members of the House Homeland Security Committee also requested a Secret Service briefing for Saturday evening, according to their social media post.
— Rebecca Picciotto
Video shows moment when shooter fires at Trump rally
Video cameras captured the moment when a shooter fired while former President Donald Trump was on stage at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
The footage shows Trump jolting in response to the shot — which he later said grazed his right ear —and then falling to the floor as Secret Service rushes around him.
Photos: Trump with blood on his face, aftermath of rally
Photographers captured images of former President Donald Trump with thin streaks of blood on his face, as well as the chaos that followed.
New details from the US Secret Service
The U.S. Secret Service released an new statement on the shooting at the Trump rally:
“During former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13th at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.
“US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated. One spectator was killed, two spectators were critically injured.
“The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
– Josephine Rozzelle
Ivanka Trump thanks law enforcement, says ‘I love you Dad, today and always’
Ivanka Trump, the former president’s eldest daughter, in a social media post thanked those who have shared “love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today’s senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania.”
“I continue to pray for our country,” her post read. “I love you Dad, today and always.”
— Kevin Breuninger
Trump on Truth Social says he felt a ‘bullet ripping through the skin’
Several hours after the shooting, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to send condolences to the families of the members of the crowd who were killed and injured.
He also relayed his memory of the experience: “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
He thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement officials who rapidly responded at the scene and reiterated that the shooter was dead, though he said he did not have further information.
“It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” Trump added.
— Rebecca Picciotto
Secret Service requests FBI’s assistance in investigation
The U.S. Secret Service has requested the FBI’s assistance in investigating the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“FBI personnel are on the scene in Butler, Pennsylvania and the FBI will continue to work jointly with the U.S. Secret Service as the investigation moves forward,” the FBI said in a statement.
The Secret Service also requested the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office ,two senior U.S. law enforcement officials told NBC.
– Josephine Rozzelle
Trump campaign is in a ‘communications lockdown’
The Trump campaign went into “a complete communications lockdown,” according to a message to staff obtained by NBC News.
“Everything is OK,” wrote James Blair, Trump campaign and Republican National Committee political director. “Anyone who speaks with the press, even on background or off the record, will be found and terminated immediately.”
“Refrain from commenting, speculating, posting on social media, etc. Complete and total lockdown,” Blair added. “Your personal safety is of the utmost importance. Please exercise extreme caution during this time.”
— Rebecca Picciotto
