By John Dobberstein, Editor
One day after an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump that shocked the nation, President Biden said Sunday that political passions and extremism is getting dangerously high and differences should be resolved “at the ballot box, not with bullets.”
“We can’t allow this violence to be normalized. The political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It’s time to cool it down,” Biden said in the brief 5-minute address from the Oval Office. “I’ve said many times that the choice we make in this election is going to shape the future of America and the world for decades to come. I believe that with all my soul.
“I know that millions of my fellow Americans believe it as well, and some have a different view as to the direction our country should take. Disagreement is inevitable in American democracy. I believe (politics) ought to be an arena for peaceful debate to pursue justice, to make decisions guided by the Declaration of Independence.”
Biden also extended his sympathies to the family of rally attendee Corey Comperatore, who died during the gunfire. “Corey was a husband, a father, a volunteer firefighter, a hero, sheltering his family from those bullets. We should all hold his family and all those injured in our prayers,” Biden said.
The FBI identified the shooter at Saturday’s rally in as Thomas Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., who was perched at the top of a building 150 yards away from the stage when he fired several shots at Trump, striking him in the right ear. Crooks was immediately killed by counter-sniper officers after the initial gunshots rang out.
Media reports state Crooks was in possession of an assault-style rifle that was legally purchased by his father, and explosive devices were found in his vehicle and bomb-making materials in his home.
Biden said investigators don’t know Crooks’ motive yet, or about his opinions or potential affiliations or whether he spoke to anyone else about his intentions or had any support. Biden said he spoke with Trump Saturday night and said he was thankful he wasn’t seriously injured and was doing well.
Trump landed in Milwaukee Sunday night to participate in the Republican National Convention kicking off Monday, where he may be revealing his pick for vice president on the ticket.
Biden – also facing heat for his poor performance the recent president debate — said he would also be traveling this coming week to talk about his “vision” for the country, knowing his record will likely be criticized during the convention. But he warned the nation that violence targeting political candidates and supporters isn’t the answer and shouldn’t be tolerated.
“We’re not enemies, we’re neighbors. We’re friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we’re fellow Americans. We must stand together,” he said. “Yesterday’s shooting at Donald Trump’s rally calls on all of us to take a step back, take stock of where we are, how we go forward from here. There is no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence ever.
“We compare and contrast the character of the candidates, the records, the issues, the agenda, the vision for America. But in America, we resolve our differences at the ballot box not with bullets. The power to change America should always rest in the hands of the people not in the hands of would-be assassin. Everyone wants to be treated with dignity and respect and hate must have no safe harbor.”
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