President Joe Biden has released a statement confirming he had been briefed about the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday afternoon.
“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well,” read the statement, which was released about an hour and a half after Trump was hurt when shots rang out while he was speaking on stage.
“I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” the White House’s statement continued. “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety.”
“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America,” it went on. “We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”
Biden spoke to the press not long after the White House issued its initial statement
During the meeting, the president said, “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence, it’s sick.”
He told reporters that he had tried to contact Trump and hoped to “speak to him tonight.” The president noted that Trump was receiving medical care and “apparently he’s doing well.”
Asked if he thought Trump was targeted by an assassination attempt, Biden said, “I have an opinion but I don’t have any facts.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for continued updates.