‘Moment of soul searching’: Ky. Republicans react to second Trump assassination attempt
Kentucky Republicans in Congress are speaking out following the second assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump in two months.
Rep. James Comer is calling for unity between the political parties. Mitch McConnell said he was “very grateful” Trump is safe and condemned the act of political violence.
And Rep. Thomas Massie backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ move to conduct his own investigation of the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
With just 50 days until Election Day, the second attempt on Trump’s life in as many months will likely dominate conversations on Capitol Hill this week and renew scrutiny around the Secret Service plan to keep candidates safe as the campaign intensifies into its final stretch.
So far, the Secret Service is mostly receiving praise for protecting Trump, who agents believe was targeted by 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, who wielded an AK-47 style rifle. Routh is in custody and Trump is unhurt, but questions remain how he got so close to the former president.
“Incredibly thankful for the brave Secret Service agents and local law enforcement members in Florida who acted swiftly today to protect President Trump,” Comer posted on X Sunday. “While details regarding this second assassination attempt come forward, Republicans and Democrats must stand together united against extremism and political violence of any kind.
“There is no place for these kind of actions in our great country.”
Following the July shooting of Trump in Pennsylvania, Comer took the lead in calling for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
After a bruising Oversight hearing in which Comer and other interrogated her with questions about the security failure, she abandoned her post. Ronald L. Rowe is now serving as acting director.
McConnell said he hoped and expected the Secret Service and FBI would “conduct a thorough, swift and transparent investigation,” but did not comment any further on the agency’s effectiveness.
“This ought to be a moment of soul-searching for all Americans. It’s a time to reflect on the ways that our political process has been infected by reprehensible violence,” McConnell said Monday on the Senate floor. “In America, our democracy flows from the ballot box. Not from the barrel of a gun. Period.”
Massie reposted a message from DeSantis that he would be launching his own investigation in Florida.
“The people deserve the truth about the would be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee,” DeSantis said.
President Joe Biden said Monday the Secret Service “needs more help.”
“And I think Congress should respond to their need,” Biden said. “Thank God the president is OK.”
He said he and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, would be receiving regular updates about the ongoing investigation throughout the day.
This story has been updated with Sen. McConnell’s comments on the Senate floor.
This story was originally published September 16, 2024 at 11:25 AM.
