As information continues to come from investigators over the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the GOP’s candidate for the 2024 presidential election, Illinois lawmakers and politicians are weighing in on Saturday’s shooting.
State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, whose 21st District seat covers parts of Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside, told the Landmark Monday morning that he learned of the attempt on Trump’s life while driving home from an event Saturday.
“I was horrified when I learned that that was happening. Political violence is never acceptable,” he said. “No matter how much we disagree with anyone across the political spectrum, you never resort to violence. That’s what democracy is all about; it’s about taking our issues to the ballot box.”
He also gave his opinion on whether President Joe Biden should step out of the presidential race following calls to do so from Democrats since his debate with Trump on June 27.
“I think he should do the right thing, and I think that his presidency has been overshadowed by support for a genocide in Gaza,” he said. “When you combine that with the reality of how he’s doing in the polling, he should take a very serious look at this choice, and do what’s best for the country.”
Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, whose district includes Brookfield, Riverside, North Riverside and many surrounding villages, condemned the attempt on X, formerly Twitter, Saturday evening.
“Violence is never the answer,” he wrote. “I wish former President Trump a speedy recovery, and I’m saddened by the loss of life of an innocent spectator.”
Fabiola Rodriguez-Ciampoli, García’s deputy chief of staff and communications director, said in an email to the Landmark that the Congressman did not have further comment at that time.
García issued a public letter to Biden July 19 alongside Representatives Jared Huffman of California, Marc Veasey of Texas and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin calling for the President to step down as the Democratic nominee.
“Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership, and deep appreciation for everything we have accomplished together during your presidency, it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders,” the Congressmen said in the letter. “We believe the most responsible and patriotic thing you can do in this moment is to step aside as our nominee while continuing to lead our party from the White House.”
While the letter did not outright state who should replace Biden as the nominee, the Congressmen said Vice President Kamala Harris would be prepared to lead “a deep and talented bench of younger” Democrats, as Biden has “lifted up, empowered, and prepared [her] for this moment.”
“I want to make it clear that political violence is never acceptable. I wish former President Trump a swift recovery. In our democracy, differences should be settled through dialogue and mutual respect, not through acts of violence,” Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, said in a statement.
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, in a post on X, said “political violence is never acceptable.”
“I’m keeping the former president, the bystander who was tragically killed, and all who were injured or whose safety was threatened in my thoughts,” he said.
And Illinois Republican Chairperson Elect Kathy Salvi on X said: “The Republicans of Illinois are united and stand with President Trump. We express our full support for President Trump and his family. We appreciate the prompt response by law enforcement and the Secret Service.”
Other area leaders did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.
It is not yet clear how Saturday’s event, which comes amid deep divisions among the nation’s political parties, will affect August’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, authorities said. The region’s delegates include State Rep. LaShawn Ford, Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins and Chicago Alderperson Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward.
It is also not yet clear whether or how Saturday’s attempted assassination will affect polls in November.
The Democratic Party of Illinois issued a statement late Saturday.
“We are shocked and saddened by the events at the rally in PA. Political violence has no place in our society. We pray for the safety of all attendees and condemn violence in the strongest terms. Thank you to the first responders and Secret Service for their swift response.”
The FBI is investigating an attempted assassination on Trump Saturday at a political rally in Pennsylvania. He appeared to be shot in the ear and was determined to be otherwise in good health.
The suspect, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Butler, Pennsylvania was shot and killed by law enforcement agents, authorities said. They said he fired an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle, purchased by his father.
Gunfire also killed a 50-year-old Pennsylvania man and wounded two others.
This is a developing story. Please check back to learn more about what your local legislators and politicians have to say about the attempted assassination and what changes, if any, will be made to the DNC or November’s elections.
