Attempted assassination of former President Trump must be a wakeup call for America

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump reacts following an assassination attempt at a campaign event Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Gene J. Puskar ~ Associated Press

Saturday’s rally for former President Donald Trump was supposed to be one final event before the Republican National Convention. Some thought he might announce his vice-presidential pick. Thousands of people attend these rallies. For some, it’s their first and maybe only opportunity to see a former president in person. It’s supposed to be a joyous, patriotic experience.

That all changed at 6:11 p.m. Saturday when an unhinged 20-year-old unleashed six to eight rounds toward the former president, striking his ear before he took cover and Secret Service agents jumped in to provide cover.

One man was killed, and two others are in critical condition. On Sunday, it was announced that Corey Comperatore was fatally wounded. Comperatore was a firefighter who was killed while protecting his family during the shooting. His daughter wrote a touching post on social media about her father, noting his commitment to family, their community and deep faith in God. We pray for the family and those recovering. As of Monday afternoon, a GoFundMe has raised more than $4 million for the victims and their families.

Once the shooter was killed, the Secret Service helped former President Trump to his feet. He made sure to pump his fist in the air several times as blood rolled down his cheek. A photo from the event shows the former president with his hand in the air and an American flag in the background as the Secret Service guards his body and ushers him to safety. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat or Independent, you must admit a level of pride in our country when a former president and current presidential candidate, after having been shot at, stands up and shows that kind of resolve and fortitude. At a macro level, it’s who we are as Americans. When knocked down, we get back up. Good on Trump for having the presence of mind to provide that level of reassurance to the nation in a traumatic moment.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania. Evan Vucci ~ Associated Press

Many questions arise around the shooting, chief among them: How can this security breach happen? The shooter was outside the event venue on top of a nearby building, about 125 yards away from the stage. No security was on the roof or preventing people from accessing it. Many have said that even for an average shooter, 125 yards with a rifle is not a hard shot. Did the former president have all the security needed? The Secret Service has rebuffed claims that additional resources were requested for the Trump team before Saturday. But this, among other questions, must be part of a full investigation. This also raises questions about security for Independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said his requests last year for protection were denied. Congressional leaders have already said there will be investigations. That is appropriate.

The big topic of conversation after the attempted assassination is the tone of our politics. Certainly, politics is not for the faint of heart. Candidates go after each other in a rhetorical sense. Those of opposing viewpoints debate. But let’s be clear: Violence has no place in our politics. We settle our differences at the ballot box. We debate. Argue. Legislate. But violence has no place in politics.

Unfortunately, the tone of our politics has descended significantly over the years. Former President Trump and President Joe Biden spoke by phone after the events of Saturday night. It was reported to be a good conversation. Both individuals issued statements over the weekend that focused on condemning violence and looking at the tone of our politics.

President Biden gave an Oval Office address Sunday night. It was a good start, though I would have liked to hear more. I encourage you to read his remarks. In one portion, he said: “You know, the political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It’s time to cool it down. And we all have a responsibility to do that.”

That’s true. We all have a responsibility: Candidates, media, voters. However, I would have preferred President Biden go further in his remarks, noting: “That commitment to civility starts with me.” President Biden and others on the Left have called the former president an existential threat to our democracy. Comments by others, including a list of Hollywood stars, are even worse. This rhetoric doesn’t foster an environment of civility. The blame for Saturday is on one person: the shooter. But if President Biden wants to make a case for civility, these are a few good places where he has influence.

President Trump has an opportunity this week at the Republican National Convention to influence many. In an interview with the Washington Examiner on Sunday, Trump said he has re-written his Thursday acceptance speech to be more focused on uniting the country. That’s good. Former First Lady Melania Trump wrote a touching statement Sunday where she wrote, in part, “We are all humans, and fundamentally, instinctively, we want to help one another. American politics are only one vehicle that can uplift our communities. Love, compassion, kindness and empathy are necessities.”

Former President Trump wrote on social media Sunday that he believes the hand of God protected him from death. I agree. And I pray for God’s continued hand of protection over all our political leaders and hope the events of Saturday will be a wake-up call for America. May each of us, in our own way, look to bring civility to our politics. Yes, go vote. Support the candidate of your choosing. Debate the issues. But the rhetoric of hate must end.

Lucas Presson is the assistant publisher and general manager of the Southeast Missourian.