Idaho officials react to shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally. What they said.
Published at | Updated at![Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surround by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., Saturday, July 13, 2024. | Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets.eastidahonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Trump-rally-860x573.jpg)
BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Idaho officials offered their support and reactions after a shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday in Pennsylvania. The New York Times and other news outlets have reported that a gunman and one attendee at the Butler rally were dead, and dramatic photos from the event showed Trump surrounded by suit-clad Secret Service agents, his fist in the air and blood on his ear. A spokesman said Trump was safe, The Times reported.
“America needs our candidates to be able to campaign safely,” Gov. Brad Little wrote on the social media platform X. “This is a sad day. Prayers for President Trump and praise for our Secret Service.”
In a follow-up tweet, Little wrote that he was praying for Trump, Trump’s family and “our nation.”
Praying for President Trump, his family, and our nation. pic.twitter.com/log1jOYPob
— Brad Little (@GovernorLittle) July 13, 2024
Others echoed the concern about political violence.
U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson said on X that resorting to violence is never acceptable. “Words should always supersede our actions,” Simpson said.
His Republican colleague U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo called the act “un-American.”
The other members of the Idaho congressional delegation also addressed the situation, with Rep. Russ Fulcher saying “Justice will come” on social media and Sen. Jim Risch calling what happened “horrific.”
Idaho Falls City Council member John Radford wrote on Facebook, “Political violence is never the answer! I hope President Trump is fine and recovers quickly.”
Meridian City Council Member Luke Cavener agreed on X that political violence of any kind was unacceptable. “The perpetrators need to be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent,” Cavener wrote. “No mercy, no leniency.”
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said in an emailed statement that “we cannot let our country be torn apart by political violence.”
“We owe it to those who have sacrificed so much for our nation, to preserve our freedoms for the next generation and generations to come,” Labrador said. “We must rededicate ourselves to civility even in the midst of passionate disagreement.“
Ada County Republican Commissioners Rod Beck and Ryan Davidson sent a joint statement, saying, “We encourage everyone to take this moment to reflect on the state of our nation and consider how we can work together to peacefully address and mend the issues within our system.”
And Star Mayor Trevor Chadwick wrote on X that the behavior was “inexcusable.”
“No one should ever be threatened or their life put on the line in any circumstances for serving in politics in our country,” Chadwick wrote. “We are better than this. It should not matter what political world you live in everyone should come together in prayer.”
America needs our candidates to be able to campaign safely. This is a sad day. Prayers for President Trump and praise for our Secret Service.
— Brad Little (@GovernorLittle) July 13, 2024
Resorting to violence is never acceptable, and words should always supersede our actions.
President Trump deserves our admiration and respect. His family and our nation demand our prayers in this time of need.
— Congressman Mike Simpson (@CongMikeSimpson) July 13, 2024
An apparent assassination attempt against a former President and current candidate for the President of the United States is beyond enraging and wholly un-American. I am praying for Donald Trump and hope he will recover expeditiously.
— Senator Mike Crapo (@MikeCrapo) July 13, 2024
The apparent attempt on President Trump’s life in Pennsylvania is absolutely horrific. Vicki and I are praying for President Trump and all those injured in today’s despicable incident.
— Jim Risch (@SenatorRisch) July 13, 2024
Tonight, join me in saying a prayer for President Trump and all those impacted and injured. Justice will come.
— Russ Fulcher (@RussFulcher) July 13, 2024