"Integration is Most Important"
U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the shooting incident involving former President Donald Trump on the 14th (local time) and called for American unity. He also announced that an independent investigation into the shooting has been conducted and that the results will be made public.
On that day, President Biden made these remarks during a roughly three-minute national address at the White House. Biden said, "I spoke with former President Trump last night," adding, "I am sincerely grateful that he is in good condition and recovering well." He also said, "We had a brief but good conversation."
U.S. President Joe Biden condemns the shooting incident involving former President Donald Trump on the 14th (local time). [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
He also expressed condolences, saying that he and First Lady Jill Biden are praying for the victims and their families who died after attending former President Trump's rally in Pennsylvania the previous day.
President Biden stated, "There is no place for any kind of violence in America, including this type," and condemned the assassination attempt as "contrary to all the values we stand for." He added, "We cannot allow such things to happen."
Biden emphasized, "Unity is the most difficult goal to achieve, but nothing is more important right now," and said, "We can debate and have differing opinions, but violence can never be justified. As Americans, we will not forget who we are."
He noted, "The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently conducting an investigation, which is still in its early stages," and urged people not to make premature assumptions about the suspect's motives.
He also drew a line against rampant speculation, including claims from some Republicans that the Trump campaign requested additional security measures from authorities but were denied. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service (SS), had already denied such claims. President Biden stated, "Former President Trump, as the Republican candidate and former president, has already been receiving a high level of security, and I have consistently directed the SS to provide all necessary resources and means for his protection."
He added, "I have also instructed the SS to review all necessary measures for the security of the Republican National Convention starting tomorrow (the 15th)," and said, "I have ordered an independent investigation to assess exactly what happened yesterday, and the results of that independent investigation will be shared with the public."
Originally, President Biden was scheduled to campaign in Texas the next day but postponed his schedule due to the shooting of former President Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris also canceled her scheduled campaign event on the 16th in Palm Beach County. Former President Trump announced that he plans to head to Milwaukee later that day to attend the Republican National Convention.
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