;)
The Conversation -- July 14, 2024
AP: "... Donald Trump has arrived in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention a day after he was targeted in an attempted assassination at a campaign event.... Trump is not expected to speak at the RNC until Thursday night."
Trump Slightly Injured in Assassination Attempt at Rally. Today's New York Times liveblog is here. ~~~
Michael Shear & Mike Ives: "... Donald J. Trump vowed to remain 'defiant in the face of wickedness' on Sunday as authorities discovered materials to build two explosive devices in a car belonging to a would-be assassin who shot at Mr. Trump at a Saturday rally, roiling the 2024 presidential election. In brief remarks to the nation from the White House on Sunday, President Biden called the assassination attempt 'contrary to everything we stand for us as a nation, everything. It's not who we are as a nation. It's not American. And we cannot allow this to happen.' The president said he would speak at greater length from the Oval Office Sunday night.... Mr. Biden said he had demanded a national security review and promised to share the results with the American people. He also said he had directed the Secret Service to review security arrangements for the Republican convention....
"The spectator who was killed was Corey Comperatore, said Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. He was 50, according to a post on Facebook by Mr. Comperatore's sister. Law enforcement officials found explosive materials in Mr. Crooks's car and believe they may have found more at his residence.... An AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle found next to Mr. Crooks's body was purchased by a family member, possibly his father.... Mr. Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper, according to a spokesman for the agency, just before Mr. Trump was rushed off the stage...." This is the pinned item.
Michael Gold: "Donald Trump has .... issued a new statement offering condolences for the person who was killed at the rally and prayers for those who were injured. In a post on Truth Social, his social media platform, Trump also called for unity in the country...."
Robert Jimison: "Representative Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio and the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, says he hopes to learn more about the unconfirmed reports that rally attendees identified the gunman and were trying to alert law enforcement before he opened fire."
Chris Cameron: "Melania Trump ... published a statement on social media that denounced the shooter as a 'monster' who saw her husband as 'an inhuman political machine.' She called on the nation to 'ascend above the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence.'"
Jimison: "Representatives Ritchie Torres, Democrat of New York, and Mike Lawler, Republican of New York, announced plans to introduce a bill to enhance Secret Service protection for both President Biden and ... Donald J. Trump. The bill would also provide Secret Service protection for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said last year that his request for protection was denied."
Shear: "The White House said President Biden was receiving a briefing on the shooting from Kimberly Cheatle, the Secret Service director; Attorney General Merrick Garland; the secretary of homeland security, Alejandro Mayorkas; the F.B.I. director, Christopher Wray; the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan; and Liz Sherwood-Randall, the White House homeland security adviser."
Nicholas Nehamas: "The Vice President also attended the briefing in the White House Situation Room, the White House said."
Mike Baker: "Thomas Crooks, the gunman, was employed as a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, according to Marcie Grimm, the administrator at the facility."
Christina Morales: "Two people who were wounded at the Trump rally were still being treated Sunday at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. They were taken there by helicopter and remain in 'critical condition,' a hospital spokesman, Bill Toland, said."
David Sanger: "Ending his brief remarks from the White House [Sunday afternoon], President Biden said that he would deliver a full address to the nation tonight, which the White House says will be at 8 p.m. Eastern."
Zolan Kanno-Youngs: "Former law enforcement officials are asking questions about the Secret Service's protective perimeter and how closely the agency's countersnipers were watching the building where the gunman fired shots into the Trump rally."
Adam Goldman: "The F.B.I. is trying to break into the shooter's cellphone, with court approval, to learn more about his plans and motive, according to a federal law enforcement official. The official said that dozens of F.B.I. agents, analysts, and evidence technicians from multiple divisions have been called in to work the case."
David Yaffe-Bellany: "Truth Social users posted memes suggesting that President Biden or Hillary Clinton was behind the attack at the rally in Butler, Pa., and argued that there might have been multiple gunmen. They hailed Mr. Trump as a heroic figure, circulating the now-ubiquitous photos of his bloodied face and ear. Right-wing conspiracy theories are par for the course on Truth Social.... Mr. Trump ... said [on the platform that] it was 'God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.'" [MB: Yes, God spared Trump but was okay with killing or maiming other rally attendees. Nice god you've got there, Donald.]
Isabelle Taft: "The Pennsylvania State Police released the names of the three rally attendees who were shot. David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pa., and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pa., who were admitted to the hospital in critical condition, were stable on Sunday afternoon, the police said. As previously reported by Gov. Josh Shapiro, the agency confirmed that Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pa., was killed at the rally."
Glenn Thrush: "Senior F.B.I. officials, speaking to reporters on a conference call, said they have no reason to believe that Crooks was participating in a larger plot involving other people."
Goldman: "F.B.I. officials also said in the call that agents were investigating the shooting as an assassination and possible domestic terrorism attack. F.B.I. officials said that the gunman's phone, rifle and a possible explosive device was sent to the bureau's lab in Quantico, Va. The F.B.I. described the explosive device as 'rudimentary.' The F.B.I. said it had not uncovered evidence that the shooter had mental health issues.... The F.B.I. confirmed that the father purchased the rifle but it was not clear if the father gave the son the weapon or that he took it without permission. Kevin Rojek, F.B.I. special agent in charge in Pittsburgh, said the family was cooperating with the investigation."
Kellen Browning: "The social media platform Discord said that it had identified and deleted an account that appeared to be linked to the suspected gunman. 'It was rarely utilized, has not been used in months, and we have found no evidence that it was used to plan this incident, promote violence or discuss his political views,' the company said in a statement."
Baker: "Thomas Crooks, identified by law enforcement authorities as the gunman, graduated from the Community College of Allegheny County two months ago, earning an associate degree in engineering science, school officials said in a statement...."
~~~Yesterday's New York Times liveblog, also linked yesterday, is here: "The federal authorities identified the gunman they said tried to assassinate ... Donald J. Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, a shooting that killed at least one spectator.... At least two other spectators were critically injured on Saturday in Butler, Pa., the Secret Service said in a statement. The agency said the gunman was dead after officers responded. Mr. Trump was escorted off the stage bleeding from around his ear, and taken to a hospital. He later said on social media that a bullet had pierced the upper part of his right ear. President Biden gave a brief televised statement after the incident, condemning the violence as 'sick.' The White House later said the president had spoken to Mr. Trump.... A spokesman for the Secret Service said that the suspected shooter fired 'multiple shots toward the stage' and was on 'an elevated position' outside the rally venue. The Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies have not yet publicly confirmed that Mr. Trump was shot in the ear, saying only that shots were fired and that the former president was 'safe.' Two law enforcement officials said that authorities recovered an AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle from a deceased man they believe was the gunman."
"The gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday was identified by the F.B.I. as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Penn., but officials released no additional information about him.... A voter-registration record showed that Mr. Crooks was registered as a Republican, though federal campaign-finance records show he donated $15 to [MB: ActBlue (via NBC News)]. Early on Sunday morning, law-enforcement officers had closed down all roads leading toward the home of the suspect's family in Bethel Park, south of Pittsburgh and about an hour's drive from the site of the rally in Butler. Mr. Crooks was killed after he fired from 'an elevated position' outside the outdoor rally venue where Mr. Trump was speaking, according to the Secret Service."
The liveblog includes (1) an aerial shot of the venue that identifies the locations of the stage & the building where the shooter's body was found and (2) a photo that appears to show the bullet after it grazed Donald Trump and traveled past him.
Simon Levien: "'This evening we had what we're calling an assassination attempt against our former President Donald Trump,' says Kevin Rojek, F.B.I. special agent."
Michael Gold: "Rojek confirmed that the suspected shooter had no identification on him. Agents were looking at photographs and trying to run his D.N.A., Rojek said..... Lt Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said that the rally attendee who was killed and the two that were critically injured were all adult men."
Maggie Haberman: "A Trump aide, Margo Martin, posted on X video of Trump arriving at an airport in New Jersey, where he's supposed to be spending the night. He walked off his plane unaided. His injured ear was out of camera view."
~~~ CNN's liveblog is here. ~~~
~~~ You can see the moment here (at about 38 secs. in), where Trump grabs his ear before ducking:
President Biden's statement is here.
Marie: This assassination attempt of course will increase Trump's lead in the presidential race. There's a sickening irony that the person who has constantly promoted violence against his perceived political enemies should be the target (as well as the political beneficiary) of the violence he has advocated. The shooter would not have had a high-powered semi-automatic rifle if not for Republicans' opposition to sensible gun control.
Ashley Parker of the Washington Post: "A shooting at former president Donald Trump's campaign rally Saturday evening ... upended the already dark and tumultuous race for the White House. Trump's campaign said he still plans to attend the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to begin in Milwaukee on Monday. But the shooting is sure to shift the messaging and tenor -- not to mention the security -- of the massive gathering.... [President] Biden's campaign, meanwhile, announced it was pausing its communication and pulling down all television ads as quickly as possible.... Trump had been speaking for less than 10 minutes in Butler, Pa., when several loud pops rang out and the former president put his hand to his right ear, the upper part of which had been pierced by a bullet, he later said on social media. As Secret Service agents encircled the former president, Trump raised his right fist defiantly and scowled, mouthing: 'Fight. Fight. Fight.'...
"Trump is often most comfortable -- and most effective -- when playing both martyr and victim, and Saturday's shooting naturally thrusts him back into that role. Trump immediately put out a statement thanking the Secret Service and law enforcement, expressing his condolences to the other victims and offering a dramatic recounting of the moment.... 'The political consequences of this assassination attempt will be immense, and they will benefit Donald Trump, who just responded to being shot in the exact same way that Teddy Roosevelt did,' [Steve] Schmidt [-- Trump critic & former a Republican strategist --] wrote on social media."
When Biden Goes High, Republicans Go Wa-a-a-ay Low. Michael Scherer of the Washington Post: "Top allies of Donald Trump quickly accused President Biden and his supporters of using rhetoric that led to a shooting and potential assassination attempt Saturday at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pa., even as Biden condemned the attack and called on the nation to unite against political violence.... 'The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,&' [Sen. J.D.] Vance [R-Ohio] wrote [on social media]. 'That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination.' Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)..., [wrote], 'Let's be clear: This was an assassination attempt aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists, or worse.'..."
Jack Healy, et al., of the New York Times relate what is known about the shooter.
Andrew Solender of Axios: "President Biden was raked over the coals by a group of center-left House Democrats on Saturday in [a] ... meeting aimed at stemming defections on Capitol Hill.... Biden got particularly animated towards a question from Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) about slipping public confidence in his leadership as commander-in-chief, according to several members in the meeting.... Crow's question prompted what two members described as 'shouting' from the president, who challenged the Coloradan to 'name me a foreign leader who thinks I'm not the most effective leader.'... Biden [said] ... it is 'dead wrong' that foreign leaders lack confidence in him and exclaiming, 'I don't want to hear that crap.' Said one member on the call: 'He started shouting at Jason Crow for no reason.'... 'That was a complete disaster. We saw the same Joe Biden from the debate,' said one House Democrat on the call. 'It was awful,' said another lawmaker."
Bernie Sanders in a New York Times op-ed: "I will do all that I can to see that President Biden is re-elected. Why? Despite my disagreements with him on particular issues, he has been the most effective president in the modern history of our country and is the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump -- a demagogue and pathological liar. It's time to learn a lesson from the progressive and centrist forces in France who, despite profound political differences, came together this week to soundly defeat right-wing extremism.... Yes. I know: Mr. Biden is old, is prone to gaffes, walks stiffly and had a disastrous debate with Mr. Trump. But this I also know: A presidential election is not an entertainment contest. It does not begin or end with a 90-minute debate." (Also linked yesterday.)
News Lede
New York Times: "Before an enthusiastic crowd on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the grand boulevard of the French capital, the Olympic torch arrived in Paris on Sunday in a luxury Louis Vuitton suitcase, 12 days before the opening of the Games. The custom-made suitcase stood for some time on a pedestal in the middle of the Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées, a major intersection, looking a little lonely. It was then opened and the torch handed to Thierry Henry, one of the greats of French soccer, who was dressed for the occasion in chic white sweats.... Since the flame arrived in France more than two months ago, welcomed in the ancient port city of Marseille by plumes of red, white and blue smoke -- the colors of the French flag -- it has been on a far-flung journey, including to Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion and other overseas French departments.... The city was relatively empty on Sunday, Bastille Day, the most important French national holiday.... Many people had left town on vacation or were away for the weekend."
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Reader Comments (11)
Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) blames President Joe Biden for shooting
and called for him to be prosecuted.
The shooter was a registered Republican.
Joe Biden couldn't possibly climb on a roof and fire an AR-15.
The person with the violent rhetoric is not Joe Biden, it's Donald Trump.
https://www.mediate.com/news/house-repbulican-immediately-
accuses-biden-of-having-sent-the-orders-to-kill-trump-in-bizarre-post/
Now here's a sucker bet for you. How many days before trump sells pieces of his "assassination" suit in a fund raiser.
@Dan Lowery: Dan, Dan, this is a day we're all supposed to be serious in the thoughts-and-prayers mode and here you are making me laugh.
The shirts are already for sale, but Trump will be suing to get the profits soon enough and the Supremes will try to help his grift somehow.
"Photos of Trump pumping his fist in the air as he was rushed off for medical treatment quickly spread across the globe.
And mere hours later, t-shirts with variations of the historic image went on sale from outlets based in the US and China."
Well how about this. Failed assassination attempt proves that trump was sent by God and is protected by God!
@ forrest morris. Someone needs to inform Rep. Mike Collins, that due to the recent Supreme Court decision, Biden can't be prosecuted. He is protected by presidential immunity.
FBI searching for motive.... I'd guess it'll be hard to find just one. There are so many that come to mind.
Dozens of R politicians and opinonators are saying that the attack on DiJiT was instigated by Biden and Democrats' election rhetoric.
No prior assassination or attempt of which I am aware was attributed to political opposition -- except Lincoln's where Booth thought he was representing "Virginia".
R's can't help it. They have to generate bullshit. It's their nature now.
The Biden campaign should do a quick check of the ads they have taken down, and get the most effective ones back up ASAP. They need to elicit from DiJiT and the R's their overt nasty reactions. Now is not the time to let up.
The R's can't tell the truth because the truth does not reflect well on them.
Instead they insult the American public, relying on their stupidity by telling them obvious lies about everything. Much, if not all, of the blame they assign to the "left" is simple projection. "Violent rhetoric" is the Pretender's speciality.
And far too many welcome the insult.
In brief remarks to the nation from the White House on Sunday, President Biden called the assassination attempt 'contrary to everything we stand for us as a nation, everything. It’s not who we are as a nation. It’s not American.
Sorry to burst the little bubble you all have going on there, but. it is quintessentially American; that's why you have a mess of a country, beginning with the corruption of the Supreme Court, the gun lobby, the proliferation of guns - what do you EXPECT to happen with 500 million mostly unregulated firearms?!
@Terence: Kinda sounds as if you're not an American. So let me just say that as a genuine native-born American, I agree with you completely.*
* Not sure if the number of firearms lying around in our lovely American homes is up to 500MM yet, but it well may be.