By Abiola Olawale
Political leaders across the globe have begun to express their condemnation after the former President of the United States, Donald Trump was wounded in a shooting incident at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The New Diplomat reports Trump was said to be the target of an assassination attempt Saturday at a Pennsylvania rally.
A barrage of gunfire set off panic, with Secret Service agents swarming the former president after a series of gunshots. He was quickly bundled off stage and into a waiting vehicle and has since returned home to New Jersey.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has also revealed the identity of the individual who was suspected of shooting at former US President Donald Trump.
The FBI revealed that an individual identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks was allegedly responsible for the shooting that occurred in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Reacting, United States President Joe Biden said: “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick. It’s one of the reasons why we have to unite this country… We cannot be like this, we cannot condone this.
“The idea that there’s political violence, or violence in America like this, is just unheard of. It’s just not appropriate. Everybody, everybody must condemn it. Everybody.”
Vice President Kamala Harris said on X: “We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.
“Although we don’t yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.”
In his reaction, French President Emmanuel Macron described the assassination attempt as a “tragedy for our democracies”.
Macron who posted on his official X handle said: “My thoughts are with President Donald Trump, the victim of an assassination attempt.
“I send him my wishes for a speedy recovery. A spectator has died, and several are injured. It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people.”
Also, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for a stand against violence that “challenges democracy” on Sunday as he prayed for Donald Trump’s recovery.
Kishida’s post on his official X handle reads: “We must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy. I pray for former President Trump’s speedy recovery.”
Former president George W. Bush condemned the “cowardly” attack.
“Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life. And we commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response,” he said in a statement.
