Biden Condemns Violence After Assassination Attempt on Trump, Urges Political Decorum

US President Joe Biden addressed the nation following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, stressing that violence has no place in America and urging people to resolve differences through democratic means. Biden emphasized the importance of handling conflicts at the ballot box, not with bullets.

Following an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, US President Joe Biden addressed the nation, stressing that violence cannot be normalized at any cost and emphasizing that American differences are to be resolved at ballot boxes, not with bullets.

In his Oval Office address, Biden stated that while some Americans disagree on the country's future, politics should never be a battlefield. According to CNN, Biden said, "Disagreement is inevitable and American democracy is part of human nature...but politics must never be a literal battlefield or, God forbid, a killing field."

With the election approaching, Biden highlighted an added burden on Americans to ensure that convictions do not lead to violence. He noted the upcoming Republican National Convention and mentioned his upcoming travels to discuss his record and vision for the country.

"We debate and disagree, we compare and contrast the character of the candidates, the records, the issues, the agenda, the vision for America. But in America, we resolve our differences at the ballot box, that's how we do it, at the ballot box, not with bullets," Biden emphasized.

The President reiterated the necessity to lower the temperature in politics, reminding Americans that they are not enemies but neighbors, friends, co-workers, citizens, and most importantly, fellow Americans. The recent shooting at Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, according to Biden, requires all to take stock and consider the way forward.

This Oval Office address is only the third during Biden's presidency, following a similar address on October 19, 2023, after the Hamas attack on Israel. According to CNN, such addresses are typically reserved for the nation's most solemn moments.

Biden reiterated that there is no place for violence in America, specifically referencing the attack on Trump during his rally. He reaffirmed, "There is no place in America for this kind of violence. Any violence. Period. No exceptions. We cannot allow this violence to be normalized."

Biden listed past attacks on American public figures, including the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and the assault on Nancy Pelosi's husband. Trump was on stage at a campaign rally when gunshots rang out, leading Secret Service agents to storm the stage.

The FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, with the investigation ongoing, according to ANI.

(With inputs from agencies.)