A shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania injured former President Donald Trump and killed one spectator as of the time of publication. Some Tennessee politicians say it’s an example of political divisiveness in the country, while others took the opportunity to criticize President Joe Biden.
Gov. Bill Lee called for prayers for Trump, his family and rally attendees.
Maria & I ask Tennesseans to join us in praying for President Trump & his family, & all who were in attendance at today’s rally in Pennsylvania.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) July 13, 2024
All three congressmen representing Nashville joined Lee in calls for prayer. Rep. John Rose expressed praise for the Secret Service. Rep. Andy Ogles called this a “dark day in American history.” And Rep. Mark Green said “such violence has no place in our country.”
Shortly after the shooting took place, Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn took to social media to criticize President Joe Biden for not immediately responding to the shooting. Biden later did hold a press conference in which he denounced political violence and said he reached out to Trump directly.
Blackburn went on to post: “Just days ago, Biden said ‘It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.’ Today, there was an assassination attempt against President Trump.”
Blackburn’s comments stand in stark contrast to a statement released by Democratic state Sen. London Lamar of Memphis.
“Our political discourse has become too charged and divisive,” the statement reads. “We must stop demonizing one another in words and policies and urgently begin fostering more understanding and civility.”
This story was last updated at 8:50 p.m. Saturday.
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