A Briefing on Capitol Hill Security: The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Addresss the Capitol Shooting and Calls for Unity following Trump Assassination

Two other Pennsylvania residents who were injured in the shooting — David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township — were both hospitalized and in stable condition on Sunday.

During a news conference, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said that he spoke to Comperatore’s wife, who described him as a “girl dad” and a firefighter who went to church every Sunday; a man who loved his community and his family. Comperatore, Shapiro said, was an avid supporter of Trump and was “so excited to be with him last night in the community.”

The briefings are part of a broader concern among lawmakers about an uptick in threats against members, staff and their families. Congress has been debating additional funding for member security since the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and a subsequent wave of threats that have continued.

A source granted anonymity to discuss security matters says House Republicans were given a security update on Capitol Hill on Sunday afternoon. The agencies included Capitol Police and the House Sergeant at Arms. House Democrats will get a similar meeting Monday at 2 p.m. according to a separate source.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, plans to launch an investigation into the assassination attempt, an aide confirmed to NPR. Peters is also running the Senate Democrats’ 2024 campaign operation.

The Attorney General said he was thankful that the former President was not hurt during the assassination attempt. FBI Director Christopher Wray called the attack “absolutely despicable.”

President Biden condemned political violence in remarks from the Oval Office on Sunday, and said the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump necessitates a cooling down of heated political rhetoric in the country.

“I want to speak to you tonight about the need for us to lower the temperature in our politics,” Biden said. “We’re neighbors or friends, coworkers, citizens. We are fellow Americans and must stand together, according to Biden.

Source: Biden calls for unity following Trump assassination attempt

The alleged assassination of a young man by a white man: a call for unity at the Republican National Convention

The attempted assassination of former President Trump is being investigated as Trump prepares to officially accept the Republican party’s presidential nomination at its convention in Milwaukee this week.

On Saturday, a 20-year-old identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks allegedly shot at Trump and killed one person at a political rally for the former president in Butler, Pa.

Biden spoke from the Oval Office on Sunday night, capping off a day that started with the discovery of information about the criminal and ended with his death.

FBI officials described Crooks as a lone gunman with no obvious political ideology. On Capitol Hill, the shooting spurred increased scrutiny of the Secret Service and whether it did enough to protect Trump, but also raised widespread concerns about political violence.

Biden has ordered an independent review of the national security measures in place at Trump’s rally, and promised to release the results of that investigation publicly.

The Trump campaign said security is being stepped up around the site of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which kicks off on Monday. The RNC, already a high security event, is drawing guests from across the country to join the proceedings to formally nominate former President Donald Trump as the Republican Party candidate for president.

Due to yesterday’s terrible events, I was postponing my trip to Wisconsin, and the republican convention by two days, but I cannot allow a potential assassin to force change to scheduling or anything else.

At the event, Trump is going to accept the nomination of his own party and name a running mate. His speech is planned for Thursday.

Source: Biden calls for unity following Trump assassination attempt

The RNC is Protected, and if so, where do we go? A statement from Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman on a possible shooting of Michael Hensle

The RNC is not anticipating any changes to their current security footprint or planning.

Michael Hensle, the special agent in charge, said there was no known threat against the RNC or any attendee, even though there was chatter that had arisen since the shooting.

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman reiterated that coordination was happening between the city and federal officials. He said the police department was “very comfortable” with the current plans.

“We got this,” he said. Norman stressed the police department’s commitment to protecting both convention attendees and city residents. Norman said this is the community.

The incident was being investigated as a case of domestic terrorism by the bureau, but there was not yet an ideology associated with the shooter. Investigators say they believe he acted alone but have not yet established a motive.

Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, said the key evidence collected from the scene includes an AR-style 556 rifle and a cell phone.

Crooks’ family is cooperating with the investigation. The weapon used in the attack was purchased by his father and investigators are looking into how he was able to get it.

The shooting of Donald Trump at the Democratic National Convention? Patrick Healy: What will the shooting tell us about the 2016 presidential campaign, and how will we respond to it?

Patrick Healy: Frank, Michelle, David, the Republican convention is opening on Monday night just 48 hours after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. How do you think the shooting will affect the convention and Trump?

Frank Bruni: I expect we will see the image of a bloody Trump with his fist raised over and over again, but, also, Republicans will use the convention stage and convention speeches to make the case that the violence at the Trump rally is the doing of Democrats and the left. Republicans will argue their side of the argument in Milwaukee from Monday through Thursday, following the shooting that intensified the debate about which party is responsible for the degraded nature of civic life.

Frank: While the gunfire ceased, Trump allies like Musk started questioning the Secret Service’s commitment to Trump. Republican politicians are pushing that kind of thinking and accusation.