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MILWAUKEE – Texas leaders in both political parties expressed outrage and support for former President Donald Trump after the shooting at a campaign event in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The US Secret Service removed Trump from the stage after shots were fired during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. There were streaks of blood in the former president's ear. Trump was escorted to safety.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner and longtime Trump ally Sid Miller was at the rally, standing about 30 feet from the former president.
“It looked like maybe the first three shots missed him and he turned to look at me. And then one grazed his ear and then he went down.” Miller said in a brief interview with the Texas Tribune.
Miller said Trump would be fine and expressed confidence he would go ahead with the party's national convention as planned. Miller was supporting Trump through swing states before the convention. Miller said he was unharmed.
After the chaos, other Texas leaders took to social media.
“What a terrible and terrible situation is unfolding. Please join me in praying for President Trump and all the people at the rally right now,” Texas House Speaker Dad Fallon said on social media.
The Associated Press reported that one suspected shooter was killed and another rally participant was killed.
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“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their swift action during this heinous act. He is fine and being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.” ,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.
Many ardent Trump supporters were quick to condemn the violence on social media.
“The world is evil. Praise God that President Trump was able to get out on his own. Praying for a full recovery and that this man be apprehended immediately,” wrote Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“This is horrible and wrong and evil. Thank God they don't appear to be seriously injured,” US Senator Ted Cruz said in his post. “Heidi and I are lifting up President Trump in prayer right now.”
“They try to put him in jail. They try to kill him. It won't work. He's invincible,” Gov. Greg Abbott posted.
The White House revealed that President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the situation. Biden said in a statement that he was “grateful to hear that he is safe and doing well.
“I'm praying for him and his family and everyone who was at the rally as we wait for more information. Jill and I are working with the Secret Service to get him to safety. Grateful. America must unite as a nation to condemn this,” Biden's statement continued.
The incident comes as Republicans from across the country gather in Milwaukee for their national party convention, where they plan to nominate Trump for this year's presidential election. Trump will also name his running mate at the convention.
The attack is likely to spill over into the rest of the convention — the first of its scale since 2016, when Trump was first nominated for the presidency. (The 2020 convention was scaled back considerably due to the pandemic). Several Texas convention speakers, including Abbott and Cruz.
As the Secret Service hurried the president off the stage, he insisted on returning to the lectern to raise his fist in a show of force. A photo of him doing so in front of an American flag became a rallying cry for Republicans, with many Republicans posting it on social media.
“And Trump's chances of losing just went to zero,” US Rep. Dan Crenshaw wrote on social media alongside a photo of Trump raising his fist.
Democrats also expressed their concern.
“Violence of any kind has no place in our democracy, and I condemn this heinous attack in the strongest possible terms. I pray for former President Trump's full and complete recovery and his speedy recovery.” Thank you to the Secret Service and law enforcement,” U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a Dallas Democrat who is challenging Cruz this year, said on social media.
U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Houston Democrat, echoed Allred.
“Violence of any kind is never acceptable. I pray for former President Trump and his recovery,” Garcia said on social media. Garcia was the impeachment manager in Trump's first House impeachment.
Former President Barack Obama said he was thankful Trump was not seriously injured.
“There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. While we still don't know what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump was not seriously hurt, and that Seize the moment to reclaim yourself for civility and respect in our politics,” Obama said on social media.
Voting FAQs: 2024 Elections
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When is the next election? What dates do I need to know?
Election Day for the general election is Nov. 5, and early voting runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1. The deadline to register to vote and/or change your voter registration address is October 7. By October 25 – received by your county of residence – not postmarked.
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What's on the ballot for the general election?
In addition to the president, eligible Texans have the opportunity to cast their ballots for many Texas officials running for office at the federal, state and local levels.
It includes representatives from the US and Texas houses and the following elected offices: -1 US Senator (Ted Cruz) -1 of 3 Railroad Commissioners -15 State Senators -7 State Board of Education Members -3 Texas Supreme Court Members of – 3 Members of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals – 5 Chief Justices and various Justices of the Texas Courts of Appeals
– Lower-level judges and local county offices will also appear on the ballot: – Various district judges, including criminal and family courts – County courts of law – Justices of the peace – District attorneys – County attorneys – Sheriffs – Constables – Tax assessors Taker – Collectors
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How can I make sure I'm registered to vote?
You can check if you are registered and verify your information through the Texas Secretary of State's website. You'll need one of the following three combinations to log in: Your Texas driver's license number and date of birth. Your first and last name, date of birth and the county in which you live. Your date of birth and unique voter identifier, which appears on your voter registration certificate.
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How do I register if I didn't vote?
You can request a payment request by mail or at county voter registrar offices and some post offices, government offices, or high schools. You can also print out the online application and send it to the voter registrar in your county.
Applications must be postmarked by the October 7 deadline. Download your application here.
Additionally, you can register to vote through the Texas Department of Public Safety during your driver's license renewal. If you are also allowed to renew your license online, you can register to vote online. This is the only form of online registration in the state.
After you register to vote, you will receive a voter registration certificate within 30 days. This will include your voter information, including the unique voter identifier number needed to update your voter registration online. If the certificate contains incorrect information, you must note the correction and send it to your local voter registrar as soon as possible.
A voter registration certificate can also be used as a secondary form of ID when you vote if you don't have one of seven state-approved photo IDs.
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What can I do if I have questions about voting?
You can contact your county election official or call the Texas Secretary of State's helpline at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683). A coalition of voting rights groups is also helping voters navigate election concerns through the Voter Protection Helpline at 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683). Etihad has hotlines available in other languages. Disability Rights Texas also supports voters with disabilities.
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Big news: director and screenwriter Richard Linklater; President and CEO of NPR Catherine Maher; American representative Pete Aguilar, D-California; And Lucy Bains Johnson will take the stage at the Texas Tribune Festival on September 5-7 in downtown Austin. Buy tickets today!