Biden: "Politics Should Not Become a Killing Field... We Need to Lower the Temperature"

"Neighbors, Citizens Not Enemies Despite Different Opinions"
"Unknown Motive of Shooter" Ordered Independent Investigation

U.S. President Joe Biden expressed that "political violence" should never be tolerated under any circumstances in relation to the attack on former President Donald Trump.

On the 14th (local time), according to major foreign media including CNN, President Biden emphasized in a national address held at the Oval Office in the White House that "we need to lower the 'temperature of politics' and remember that even if we have different opinions, we are not enemies but neighbors, friends, colleagues, citizens, and above all, American people," adding, "We must stand together."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

President Biden condemned the shooting incident that occurred at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania yesterday, saying, "It reminds all of us to take a step back and assess where we are and how to move forward from here," and stated, "No form of violence is tolerated in America. There are no exceptions." He also referred to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and the assault on Congressman Nancy Pelosi's husband, criticizing the normalization of political violence as unacceptable.

While acknowledging that political disagreements are part of human nature, President Biden clearly stated that they must not escalate into violence. He stressed, "Politics must not become a 'killing field,'" and insisted, "The power to change America must be in the hands of the people, not assassins."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which is investigating the attack on former President Trump, announced that the incident was a lone act by suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks (20, deceased) and that they are searching his social media accounts and assets to determine the motive. President Biden said, "The motive of the shooter is still unknown," and regarding Trump's security, he stated, "I have ordered an independent investigation into exactly what happened yesterday and will share the results with the public."