"It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening"

On Sunday, former President Donald J. Trump (R) released a statement on Truth Social crediting God for his survival of an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. Trump thanked his supporter for their thoughts and prayers and asked the nation to pray for the other victims. One man was killed at the rally and two more men were critically wounded.

"Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening," President Trump wrote. "We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin."

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112784638860095397

The FBI has identified the shooter as a 20 year old man from Bethel Park Pennsylvania – Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks was killed at the scene after firing 8 shots from an "AR-style rifle" from a rooftop just 130 yards from the President. Trump turned his head just before the shot was fired or he almost certainly would have been killed as the bullet hit the President's right ear.

"We do not currently have an identified motive," said Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge, at a briefing on Saturday night.

A congressional hearing has been called for Monday, July 22 for the Secret Service to brief Congress on what happened. While the Secret Service agents on the state who rushed to protect the President many are questioning how the assassin could climb a building armed with a rifle to get roof access to a building so close the stage where a President was speaking.

President Joseph R. Biden (D) has spoken with President Trump following the assassination attempt.

Biden denounced political violence in a briefing of reporters Saturday night.

If the assassin had killed Trump it would have plunged the nation into political chaos never before seen in the country's history.

The Republican National Convention begins on Monday. Trump still has not named who his choice for Vice President is. The VP short list is reportedly: U.S. Senators J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (R). Without a chosen successor delegates at the RNC convention would have had to select a new nominee from a field of candidates who had not even been vetted. Trump easily bested his GOP rivals in the Republican primary and Biden won the Democratic nomination with virtually no competition.

The most recent polling (pre-assassination attempt) has Trump leading Biden. The last 12 polls in a 5 candidate field all have Trump beating Biden in the popular vote. In the Real Clar Politics polling average Trump is getting 43.1 percent support to Biden's 38.8%. Independent Robert Kennedy Jr, gets 9.3%, Jill Stein 1.9%, and Cornel West 1.7%. Sten, Kennedy, West, and Libertarian Chase Oliver will be on the ballots in some states; but are not guaranteed ballot access in others.35% of self identified Democrats polled say they want Biden replaced as the Democratic nominee.

The investigation into what happened is being led by the FBI, with the Secret service and Pennsylvania State Police also playing prominent roles.

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