Jesse Scheckner
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz wants Americans to put their political differences on hold after the attempted assassination of ex-President Donald Trump.
What’s important now is unity, he said, and that authorities are given full support to “urgently investigate” the shocking incident, including any and all failures of security and police personnel.
“The assassination attempt to take former President Trump’s life this weekend was not only a chilling moment in our country’s history but also a security failure. As the former Emergency Management Director for Florida, I believe there was a fundamental breakdown by law enforcement that we must urgently investigate and address to prevent future incidents,” Moskowitz said in a statement.
“I applaud President (Joe) Biden and Speaker (Mike) Johnson’s bipartisan calls for an independent investigation and congressional leaders taking action to get to the bottom of this national tragedy.”
Moskowitz said that as someone whose hometown of Parkland was devastated by gun violence on Feb. 14, 2018, when a former student opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing 17 and injuring many others, he mourns for former Fire Chief Corey Comperatore, whom the gunman killed Saturday, “and for the survivors whose lives will never be the same.”
“Now is not the time for partisan politics or making baseless accusations to foment more violence,” he said. “Now is the time to lower the temperature and condemn political violence no matter what side of the aisle you are on.”
Moskowitz’s call for unity followed similar sentiments from both Republicans and Democrats — including Trump, who wrote on his Truth Social website, “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.”
Others said the priority should be punishing those responsible for the security breach.
Gov. Ron DeSantis blamed “D.C. bureaucratic failures” that “almost never result in any accountability.”
“This time needs to be different,” he said Sunday while also calling for an investigation. “Our country is in the peril it’s in partly because the D.C. ruling class has consistently evaded responsibility for its failures.”
Biden, in a brief statement Sunday afternoon, said he ordered an independent review of the security at the Saturday rally Trump held outdoors in Butler, Pennsylvania. He said the U.S. Secret Service is also reviewing all security measures for the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday in Milwaukee.
“Unity is the most elusive goal of all,” Biden said, urging the public to strive for it.
Trump, who was hit in the ear with one of the gunman’s bullets, will attend the convention despite concerns for his safety.
The shooter Saturday, whom a Secret Service sniper killed at the scene, was a 20-year-old registered Republican who lived in Bethel Park, a Pennsylvania suburb located just outside of Pittsburgh and roughly about an hour from where the rally occurred.
State records show the man voted in the 2022 Midterm and that he gave $15 through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue to the Progressive Turnout Project on Jan. 20, 2021, the same day Biden was inaugurated.
Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that bomb-making materials were found inside the vehicle and home of the shooter.
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Drew Dixon and A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics contributed to this report.
