SAN ANGELO, Texas — West Texas politicians were swift to respond to the near-assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
Gunfire began to ring out and a bullet appeared to graze Trump’s ear before Secret Service agents rushed in to protect him.
Trump quickly rose to his feet, blood coming from his ears and with blood on the side of his face, and raised his fist toward the crowd.
A statement from the Trump campaign said the former president was in “good spirits.”
The suspect was reported dead along with one attendee. Two others were seriously injured.
San Angelo Assemblyman Drew Darby posted on X: “Clarisa and I are praying for President Trump and all those affected by this tragedy. We are extremely grateful for the swift action of the brave Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies and we are praying for his full recovery.”
U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (Texas’ 11th District), after two posts on X urging people to pray for President Trump, wrote: “This was an attempted assassination of former President Trump and must be firmly condemned.
“I am heartbroken to learn that at least one innocent bystander was killed.”
Please continue to pray for our nation.”
Across West Texas, other politicians also took to social media to express their concerns about Trump.
State Rep. Brooks Landgraf, R-Odessa, posted on Facebook, “By God’s grace, President Trump is safe after a gunman’s despicable attempt to kill him. Please pray for America.”
“President Trump has suffered unprecedented political persecution, relentless character attacks, and now just narrowly escaped an assassination attempt,” U.S. Rep. Jody Arrington (Texas’ 10th District) wrote on Twitter.
This man has already sacrificed so much in service to our country, and I know he remains steadfast in his commitment to Making America Great Again.
God bless you, President Trump!
I am praying for my country.”
U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (Texas’ 13th District) simply shared the iconic photo of a bloody Trump raising his fist at the crowd after he was shot.
