Former first lady condemns Saturday’s attack on her husband as a “heinous crime”
Melania Trump, former first lady, on Sunday condemned the attack on her husband during a campaign rally. She called on Americans to unite in the wake of the incident.
“When I witnessed that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the verge of a devastating change. I am grateful to the brave secret service agents and law enforcement officials who put their own lives on the line to protect my husband,” she said in a statement. She called the suspected attacker a “monster” and his actions a “heinous crime.”
The ex-first lady also encouraged Americans to focus on more important things like “love, compassion, kindness and empathy,” rather than political rivalry.
“Let us reunite. Now. This morning, let’s rise above the hate, the vitriol, and the simplistic ideas that fuel violence. We all desire a world where respect reigns supreme, family comes first, and love prevails. We can bring this world back. Each of us must demand it. We must insist that respect forms the bedrock of our relationships, once again,” she stated.
Former US President Donald Trump was targeted during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. The suspected attacker fired at least five bullets at him. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old local Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed on the spot by Secret Service snipers.
Trump sustained a minor wound to his right ear from one of the bullets. At least one rallygoer was killed in the attack by stray bullets, with two others sustaining gunshot wounds. The two injured individuals were hospitalized and are in serious condition.