Canadian leaders say democracy must prevail following Trump rally shooting

WASHINGTON, D. C. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was sickened by the deadly shooting at former president Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania, joining the ranks of Canadian politicians condemning the attack.

“It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable,” Trudeau said in a post on social media Saturday evening.

“My thoughts are with former president Trump, those at the event, and all Americans.”

Politicians of all stripes denounced the attack in Butler, PA., a city north of Pittsburgh, that killed one rally attendee and injured others. The gunman, who the FBI later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, PA., also died. U.S. law enforcement officials have said the shooting is being investigated as a possible attempted assassination

Trump posted on his Truth Social media site that a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear.

“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” the former president said.

Trump, with blood on his face, was whisked off the stage by Secret Service agents after the sounds of multiple pops during the rally.

In addition to the attendee’s death, the Secret Service said two spectators were critically injured.

Canadian politicians spoke out against the violence targeting a political event.

“I condemn in the strongest of terms the attempted murder of former president Trump today,” said federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in a post on social media.

“I am relieved he is safe. My prayers are with other innocent people harmed or killed by this heinous act.”

“We must all stand united against political violence wherever it happens,” federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh posted on social media.

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet posted in French that democracy is the most powerful instrument for the common good.

The shooting came days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention.

The political climate in the United States has become increasingly polarized in recent years. The tension has surged in the months leading up to the presidential election in November.

“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” said President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump as the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Canadian politicians echoed calls for safety amid the democratic process. People must be able to disagree without resorting to violence, posted Adam van Koeverden, the Liberal MP for Milton.

Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., posted that her thoughts are with the former president, his family, “the victims affected by this senseless act of violence and Americans across the country.”

Tom Clark, Canada’s Consul General in New York, said the shooting “must be condemned in the strongest way by everyone.”

“While we disagree, sometimes vehemently – we must do our utmost to maintain civility. To not, is to lose ourselves,” said Quebec Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi on social media.

— With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2024.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press