In a rare Sunday night address from the Oval Office, President Joe Biden called for the nation to come together and condemn political violence a day after there was an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence ever. Period. No exceptions,” President Biden said. “We can’t allow this violence to be normalized. We know the political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated, but it’s time to cool it down. We all have a responsibility to do that.”
Earlier Sunday, President Biden said he ordered an independent review of national security at the Pennsylvania rally where a bullet grazed Trump’s right ear and an attendee was killed. He added that the findings will be shared with the American public.
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This review will likely be in addition to investigations being done in Congress. Committees in the House and Senate have announced plans to launch their own investigations.
President Biden also said he directed the head of the Secret Service to review all security measures ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which begins Monday.
Trump said on Sunday that he considered delaying the convention by two days, but ultimately decided against the schedule change.
“I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else,” he said.
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Trump and Biden have called for unity following the assassination attempt.
“We must unite as one nation to demonstrate who we are,” President Biden said from the White House on Sunday.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” Trump said on Truth Social.
