Biden is receiving briefing from top officials, including Secret Service director, DHS Secretary Mayorkas
Biden is getting an updated briefing from the following individuals, according to a White House official:
- Kimberly Cheatle, U.S. Secret Service director
- Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security
- Liz Sherwood-Randall, assistant to the president and homeland security adviser
The following staff participated in the briefing:
- Jeff Zients, assistant to the president and chief of staff
- Steve Ricchetti, assistant to the president and counselor to the president
- Annie Tomasini, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff
Law enforcement assessing whether two other people were shot at the Trump rally, threat 'contained'
Three senior U.S. law enforcement officials tell NBC News they are looking into whether two other individuals in the crowd were shot at the Trump rally.
Those officials tell NBC News that the threat has been “contained."
Rep. Mike Collins, Georgia Republican, blames Biden
Within minutes of the incident, Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., posted on X, "Biden sent the orders," baselessly suggesting the president was responsible for Saturday's incident.
Collins was quote-re-tweeting a screenshot from a recent Politico article, which quoted Biden telling donors on a private call that Democrats need to move on from his poor debate performance and start focusing on Trump. "So, we’re done talking about the debate, it’s time to put Trump in a bullseye,” Biden reportedly said.
ATF says it's responding to assist the Secret Service, says it's a 'top priority'
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a post on X that it's responding to assist the Secret Service and other law enforcement partners.
"This is a top priority. We have no further comment at this time," the agency's post said.
Buttigieg says U.S. must 'completely and unequivocally reject' political violence
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in a post on X that he was "encouraged to hear President Trump's team indicate that the former president is doing well."
He added that the "entire nation must speak with one voice today to completely and unequivocally reject all political violence."
NBC News' Jake Traylor describes the scene in Butler on MSNBC
Jake Traylor, a NBC News political embed, was on the scene in Butler when Trump was rushed offstage.
Traylor was in the press bin in the center of the crowd. He said they heard popping noises just a few minutes into Trump's speech, at which point he was doing what he typically does, just talking to the crowd.
It was, and remains, unclear what caused the popping sound, Traylor said. He said he saw smoke when the pops were heard.
“It was a very quick scene and a scary, scary moment. No one knew what it was,” Traylor said.
Trump dropped to the ground as the pops were heard, Traylor said. Within moments, the Secret Service was on top of Trump.
From there, uncertainty and fear continued, Traylor said. Within 10 to 15 seconds, Trump was standing again, but Traylor said he could see blood coming from Trump's ear as the popping continued.
Trump was then quickly escorted offstage, put into the motorcade, and from that point forward, no one knew where he was.
People remained at the scene for 10-15 minutes after Trump was taken away, Traylor said. They were then told it was an active crime scene and all of the press and attendees were escorted out.
Traylor said everyone there is safe now and law enforcement is on the scene.
Concern in law enforcement circles that this may have been a serious attempt on Trump's life
There is a growing concern in law enforcement circles that this may have been a serious attempt on Trump's life, two senior U.S. law enforcement officials say.
Speaker Mike Johnson says he is praying for Trump
Sen. Bernie Sanders: 'Political violence is absolutely unacceptable'
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., called political violence "absolutely unacceptable" in a post on X, echoing other lawmakers.
"I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery," the senator wrote.
McConnell condemns 'despicable attack,' thanks law enforcement
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., joined the chorus of lawmakers condemning violence after the incident at Trump's rally.
"Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally," McConnell said in a post on X. "Violence has no place in our politics. We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement."