In Oval Office Address, Biden Urges End to Political Violence

WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) – President Joe Biden urged those involved in American political debates Sunday to "lower the temperature" on the disagreements and "take a step back."

These comments were made in response to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump during a campaign rally Saturday evening in Pennsylvania.

But Biden also mentioned other incidents such as the assault on Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"It's time to cool it down," he said about the the direction that political passions, disagreements and misinformation have taken.

Sunday evening was the third time Biden has spoken to the nation since the attempted assassination of Trump during a campaign rally Saturday evening in Pennsylvania. The other two were brief statements to the press pool, no questions were taken at any of the briefings.

The formality of a prime time Oval Office address is a rare occasion at the White House. Biden's press briefings have typically been in other settings, such as the convention center where the recently-completed NATO summit took place.

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Biden and Trump are currently the leading candidates in their respective parties for what has become a tense and close 2024 presidential race. Trump is expected to officially accept the nomination from the Republicans this week. The Democrats have their national convention in August.

The shooting happened about 6:10 p.m. Saturday, when Trump was on stage speaking to a campaign rally audience in Pennsylvania. He noticed almost immediately that his right ear was injured. Secret Service surrounded him, and escorted away. Shortly afterward, it became known that some of the attendees were struck by the shots.

Biden emphasized during his Sunday evening remarks that the shooting investigation is still continuing.

"We do not know the motive of the shooter," he said.

What Happens Next?

Trump flew to Milwaukee Sunday to prepare for the opening of the Republican National Convention on Monday. He is currently expected to speak to the RNC on Thursday.

The FBI is leading the investigation in Pennsylvania, assisted by other agencies.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, has promised that Congress "will conduct a full investigation of the tragedy to determine where there were lapses in security."

"We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP," Johnson said on social media.

Biden said earlier that the Secret Service was ordered to review all security plans for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. That step has been completed.

Biden also said at his Sunday afternoon media remarks, in which he was accompanied by some of the high-ranking administrative officials, that he has ordered an independent review of the incident in Pennsylvania.

The White House has announced another meeting Monday involving homeland security and law enforcement.

Other Victims of the Shooting

Corey Comperatore, age 50, is the rally attendee who died as a result of the shooting. He is a former local fire chief. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday that Comperatore used his body as a shield to protect his wife and daughter.

The names of two other individuals who were injured were released Sunday: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. Both were listed in stable condition as of Sunday.

The suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa., was killed at the scene by Secret Service officers. While a motive is unknown, the FBI said it believes he acted alone.

The shooter’s family is cooperating with federal investigators, according to an FBI official.

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