In a solemn address from the Oval Office on July 14, 2024, President Joe Biden called for a de-escalation of political tensions following the attempted assassination of his political rival, former President Donald Trump. Speaking directly to the American people, Biden emphasized the necessity of unity and mutual respect amidst heated political climates.
“We are not enemies. We’re neighbors or friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we’re fellow Americans,” President Biden declared. “We must stand together.”
This address marked Biden’s first from the Oval Office since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel last year. His message, lasting just over six minutes, underscored the urgency of reducing inflammatory political rhetoric.
“The political rhetoric in our country has gotten very heated. It’s time to cool it down,” Biden stated. He called on Americans to reflect on their current state and consider their future path.
Biden reiterated his condemnation of the violent act, stressing, “There is no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence ever. Period. No exceptions.” He firmly asserted, “The power to change America should always rest in the hands of the people—not in the hands of would-be assassins.”
The attempted assassination, which occurred at a rally in Pennsylvania, resulted in the death of 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who was identified as the shooter. According to the Secret Service, Crooks fired multiple shots from an elevated position before being killed by agents. Former President Trump sustained a bullet wound to his right ear but survived, attributing his survival to divine intervention. Tragically, rally attendee Corey Comperatore, a firefighter and father of two, was killed, and two others were seriously injured.
“Disagreement is inevitable in American democracy. It’s part of human nature. But politics must never be a battlefield and, God forbid, a killing field,” Biden emphasized during his address.
The president also announced his request for an independent review of security measures at the Pennsylvania rally and pledged to share the findings with the public. He urged Americans to refrain from premature judgments as the FBI continues its investigation into the shooter’s motives and affiliations.
In response to the incident, Biden directed the Secret Service to reassess security protocols for the Republican National Convention, set to begin on July 14 in Milwaukee. Despite the attack, Trump confirmed his attendance and plans to formally accept the RNC nomination for his second presidential term on July 18.
President Biden postponed his scheduled July 15 trip to Austin, Texas, where he was to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Instead, he will remain in Washington to receive briefings on the situation before heading to Las Vegas. Vice President Kamala Harris also delayed her campaign trip to South Florida.
The president shared that he had a “short but good conversation” with Trump following the incident and expressed condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore, who was killed while protecting his family from gunfire, as noted by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
This call for unity and the reaffirmation of democratic principles comes at a crucial time, aiming to restore a sense of calm and collective resolve in the face of violence and political division.
