Trump shooting an ‘inexcusable attack on democratic values, freedoms’, says Albanese

The former US president was injured and taken to a medical centre after being shot at while addressing a campaign rally around 6pm in Butler, Pennsylvania over the weekend.

The alleged gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks (deceased), reportedly fired at least three shots using a rifle from atop a roof around 130 metres away from the campaign rally stage. Two people were killed and at least two injured during the incident.

“Along with all Australians, I was shocked by the terrible scenes at former President Trump’s campaign event in Pennsylvania. I’m relieved by the news that the former president is safe and doing fine, and I wish him and his family well,” Prime Minister Albanese said following the incident.

“I applaud the swift work of US security agencies. I’m also saddened by reports that a member of the audience has lost their life and other attendees have been injured. And I send my condolences on behalf of Australia to their loved ones in this time of grief.

“In Australia, as in the United States, the essence and the purpose of our democracies is that we can express our views, debate our disagreements, and resolve our differences peacefully.

“We do so with respect for each other and in the spirit of a shared love of our country. Any act of violence is an affront to that and must be condemned unequivocally. This was an inexcusable attack on the democratic values that Australians and Americans share and the freedom that we treasure.

“These values are ones that unite our two countries. It’s the basis of our alliance is those shared values between our peoples as great democratic nations. And all Australians stand with our friends in the United States at this difficult time.

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“With regard to political issues, this isn’t a day for politics. This is a day to unite, to express our concern regardless of one’s political views.

“Our security agencies, of course, are linked through the Five Eyes. Our defence forces cooperate. And the economic relationship that we have as well is very significant. This is a relationship not just between leaders, but between peoples. And today, that is why Australians’ thoughts will go to our American friends.”

It’s understood the US House Committee on oversight and accountability, as well as the US Federal Bureau of Investigation will be launching formal investigations into the shooting.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has also condemned the violence in a public statement on 13 July.

“The entire Department of Defense condemns this violence, which has absolutely no place in our democracy,” he said.

“This is not the way that we resolve our differences in America – and it must never be. I’m relieved that reports indicate former president Trump is safe, and I am praying for him and his family and everyone affected by this appalling incident.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking at Parliament House in Canberra on 14 July, said the government is assessing whether election-related violence could have future implications in Australia, and whether tighter guidelines are needed for political appearances in public.

“We continue to monitor these issues. I’ve expressed my concern that people who just dismiss actions outside electorate offices, these things can escalate, which is why they need to be called out unequivocally, and opposed,” he said.

“The sort of incidents that we’ve seen outside some electorate offices are inappropriate. People can express their views democratically, whether that be in favour of issues or against issues. We have, peaceful demonstrations are fine. Some of the incidents that we’ve seen certainly are not. They’ve crossed the line.

“On Friday, I had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Prime Minister Teo. I yesterday had a press conference in the Botanic Gardens. I walked to the Botanic Gardens, I walked through the Botanic Gardens. I engaged with people who are exercising, people who just turned up there. I walk through supermarkets and shopping centres regularly, with Ali France we went to a local coffee shop and an area, shopping area precinct in the electorate of Dickson the other morning.

“It’s really important that people be able to do that. One of the things that I find about our great democracy is the great privilege that it is of being able to chat with people who aren’t expecting to see you.

“You get a different level of feedback because it’s very real. It’s not staged for the cameras, you get to engage, and here in this city of Canberra people are a bit more relaxed, I’ve got to say.

“I think it’s a good thing that here in Australia I can. It’s a good thing that I’m able to walk around and I don’t want to see that diminished … I obviously have security with me at all times and that’s just part of the job. But that’s a good thing that people can see that. And I sincerely hope that in Australia that can continue.”

The attempted assassination is the first shooting of a US president or presidential candidate since an attack on Ronald Reagan when he was exiting Washington Hilton hotel in March 1981.