Days after attempted Trump assassination, Walz belatedly condemns political violence
There was an apparent second assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on Sunday as U.S. Secret Service agents discovered a would-be gunman lying in wait for Trump along his private golf resort in South Florida.
Following that incident, there was an outpouring of support for Trump, including from some of his political rivals, but it wasn't until several days later that the Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, spoke publicly about the matter, according to the Independent.
Other than a cursory social media post immediately after the reported assassination attempt against Trump, the second such incident in three months, it was a few days later before the Democratic governor actually spoke up to condemn what had nearly occurred.
Walz finally addressed attempted assassination
A reporter for the Independent who has been traveling with Gov. Walz on the campaign trail reported that the Democratic VP nominee declined to make a statement and ignored shouted questions about the reported second assassination attempt against former President Trump while leaving Minnesota and arriving in Georgia on Monday.
It wasn't until Tuesday that Walz, while speaking with campaign volunteers in Macon, finally decided that it was "worth noting" the "horrific situation" that occurred Sunday afternoon and that he was "thankful" the Secret Service had spotted and scared away the gunman before he could open fire, as well as that he was "grateful" that Trump hadn't been harmed.
"I think all of us know we don’t solve our differences in this country with violence. We condemn it in all its forms. We solve our differences at the ballot box. That’s how we get this done," Walz said.
Harris issued statements condemning assassination attempt
Late Sunday afternoon, Gov. Walz posted on X, "Gwen and I are glad to hear that Donald Trump is safe. Violence has no place in our country. It’s not who we are as a nation."
Just before that perfunctory statement, he had reposted an earlier statement from Vice President Kamala Harris, who wrote, "I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America."
Coinciding with Harris' social media post was a White House statement from the Democratic presidential nominee that said, "I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence."
"I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance," she added. "As President Biden said, our Administration will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission."
Biden speaks out on would-be Trump assassination
For his part, and as alluded to by VP Harris, President Joe Biden said in a White House statement on Sunday, "I have been briefed by my team regarding what federal law enforcement is investigating as a possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe."
"I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened," he added. "As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety."
Biden addressed the issue again on Monday while briefly speaking with reporters and said, "I think the -- thank God the president is okay. I think we got a full report so far. We’ll go down there tonight."
"But one thing I want to make clear: The Service needs more help. And it -- I think the Congress should respond to their needs, if they, in fact, need more Service people. So, that’s what we’re going to be talking about," he continued, and when pressed whether that "help" meant more money or personnel, added, "I think they need some more pers- -- I think they may need -- they may -- they’re deciding whether they need more personnel or not."