NEW JERSEY — New Jersey has a complicated relationship with Donald J. Trump.
The former president’s supporters have doggedly carved out a MAGA base in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a nearly two-to-one margin. Meanwhile, Trump’s critics have continued to rip the 2024 presidential candidate for everything from his stances on immigration, his controversial tax reforms and the now-infamous Jan. 6 riot at the nation’s Capitol. But after the crackle of gunfire rang out during this weekend’s rally in Pennsylvania, there was one unifying call that echoed in the Garden State, even among the man’s critics.
Violence has absolutely no place in politics.
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Trump was injured on Saturday in what the FBI is officially calling an “attempted assassination” at the former president’s campaign rally in western Pennsylvania. A father of two was killed in the shooting and two other men were critically wounded, authorities said. According to Trump, a bullet hit his upper right ear, a bloody injury that has been widely shared online via photos.
Authorities said snipers guarding the rally killed the gunman shortly after shots were fired. His motives remain unclear, but authorities say he acted alone and that there are no public safety concerns tied to the shooting. See Related: 4 US Presidents Were Assassinated; Others, Candidates Have Been Targeted
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After the assassination attempt, Trump visited a local hospital in Pennsylvania, then flew to New Jersey via Newark Airport and went to his residence at his Bedminster golf club, where a group of supporters waited outside to cheer him on. He left New Jersey on Sunday for the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin.
In the wake of the shooting, misinformation has been exploding on social media, with wild conspiracy theories emerging on all sides of the political spectrum. See Related: Political Ads On Social Media Rife With Scams, Study Says
A wave of elected officials from New Jersey – Republican and Democrat alike – have since been speaking out against the recent violence and calling for an end to the extreme rhetoric and hate that has been dividing the nation.
Here’s what they are saying.
REPUBLICANS CONDEMN SHOOTING: ‘WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS’
New Jersey Republicans have been quick to pick up the torch for the wounded former president.
“Praying for President Trump and any individuals injured during today’s rally, along with their families, and our country,” the New Jersey GOP wrote. “Every American should stand united in condemning this senseless act of violence.”
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4) said the Secret Service, law enforcement partners and medical first responders “deserve our sincerest thanks” for their quick actions, which prevented what could have been a much larger tragedy.
“The full force of the federal government must be put towards investigating the cause of [Saturuday’s] events, and all parties involved must be held accountable,” Smith urged. “Actions must be taken to ensure this does not occur again.”
“All Americans must unite and condemn all forms of political violence,” he added.
“Our prayers are with President Trump and the families of those killed and injured in today’s senseless act of violence,” said U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2), who is chairing Trump’s re-election campaign in New Jersey.
“President Trump has always shown unwavering resilience and leadership in the face of adversity—from impeachment to indictment, arrest, and now attempted assassination—he consistently rises above,” Van Drew wrote. “Regardless of political stance or personal feelings, violence is never justified in any circumstance. God bless President Trump, and may God bless America.”
Some Garden State Republicans have been more vengeful about the shooting.
Former Legislative candidate and Montclair Republican County Committee Chair Michael Byrne wrote that “[President Joe] Biden, the Deep State, the Democrat Party, and — above all — the Fake News Media are responsible and must be held accountable on Election Day.”
Other GOP politicians in New Jersey have linked arms with their Democratic peers in a show of solidarity, however.
After the shooting, two gubernatorial candidates – Sen. Jon Bramnick, a Republican, and former Senate president Steve Sweeney – released a joint statement condemning the violence:
“The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump this weekend is a stark reminder of the need for civility in our political discourse. Disagreement is a foundation of our cherished political system, but the current environment in which political opponents are treated as enemies breads extremism and political violence. We condemn the horrific events of this weekend and urge all residents and elected leaders to treat each other with civility and respect.”
Another Republican candidate for governor, Jack Ciattarelli, wrote that he was “praying for President Trump, his family and our country.”
“All Americans – I don’t care what party you are – should stand together and speak out against this senseless act of violence,” Ciattarelli said. “All those responsible should be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
“We are better than this,” he concluded.
DEMOCRATS REACT: ‘VIOLENCE IS COWARDICE, NOT STRENGTH’
The reaction from many Garden State Democrats shows that it’s possible to criticize a person’s political beliefs – while also respecting their human rights.
“Please pray for President Trump, everyone at the rally, and our country,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wrote Saturday evening. “God Bless America,” he said.
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way wrote that she was “horrified” by the shooting, adding that “violence has no place in politics.”
After Trump’s recent criminal conviction, several Democratic leaders in New Jersey lined up with statements supporting the jury’s decision. But several of those same lawmakers immediately denounced this weekend’s shooting, including Trump’s on-again-off-again rival, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker.
“Political violence is never acceptable,” wrote Booker, a Newark resident who has frequently sparred with the MAGA icon online – but has also managed to come to agreements over issues such as criminal justice and funding for critical infrastructure projects.
“My prayers are with former president Trump as he recovers from any injuries,” Booker added.
U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) has previously accused the former president of “serving only himself, both financially and otherwise,” asserting that “the American people deserve to know the full scope of Trump’s criminal schemes and activities.”
But that’s absolutely not a reason to turn to violence, the former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot said last weekend.
“I am horrified to learn of the situation at today’s rally in Pennsylvania,” Sherrill wrote. “I hope Donald Trump and all those attending are safe, and am grateful for law enforcement’s quick response. There is no place for political violence in America.”
U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-3), who recently captured the Democratic Party nomination for New Jersey’s upcoming Senate race, was one of the House members who voted to impeach Trump in 2021. However, the congressman put out an emphatic plea for peace on Monday in the wake of what he called “one of the worst events I’ve seen in our democracy.”
As Kim penned in an op-ed, violence is “cowardice, not strength” – and it is “fiercely undemocratic.”
“It’s not just that our divisions have grown so wide in our country, but our willingness to perpetuate a mutual contempt,” the congressman continued. “It’s not just a disrespect that we see towards one another, it’s a deeper disregard and a disgust of one another.”
“We are losing touch with the understanding that we are part of something bigger than all of us,” Kim added. “And as those four words of [Abraham] Lincoln – ‘One Country One Destiny’ – remind us, the commonality we share runs deep and should not be forgotten.”
Other condemnation for this weekend’s violence came from:
U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez – “My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump and everyone affected at his rally today. I am glad he is safe. Our democracy has no tolerance for political violence.”
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) – “I’m praying for former President Trump and anyone else who might’ve been hurt at tonight’s rally. We can never tolerate political violence of any kind here in the greatest democracy in the world. I’m grateful for law enforcement’s swift response.”
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-9) – “There is no room for political violence in America at any time, in any place, from any person, for any reason. Never. Thank you to our brave law enforcement. Pray for Donald Trump and pray for our great United States of America.”
U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) – “The shooting at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Saturday, which injured former President Trump, took the life of an attendee, and injured several others, was a horrific act of violence and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. There is no place for political violence in our democracy. I’m praying for the victims and for our country. I’m relieved that former President Trump is safe and commend law enforcement and Secret Service agents for their swift and courageous actions. I also want answers as to how this heinous act could have occurred. The strength and endurance of our democracy depend on the peaceful exchange of ideas without the threat of physical harm to any group or individual. I encourage every American to refrain from engaging in conspiracy theories or retreating to partisan corners, and to come together and recognize the horrible, unforgivable inhumanity of yesterday’s terrible events. We must resolve our political disagreements peacefully. That is a bedrock principle of our democracy with no exceptions.”
New Jersey Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie – “The shooting at the Trump rally this weekend was a stark reminder that violence has no place in our political discourse. My thoughts are with everyone impacted by this horrific event.”
OTHER REACTIONS: ‘HATEFUL, DIVISIVE RHETORIC’
Local politicians in New Jersey are also condemning the violence that took place last weekend.
The mayor and town council in Cherry Hill put out a statement about the shooting on Sunday, “condemning all acts of political violence, which have no place in our democratic society.” See Related: After Trump Rally Shooting, Cherry Hill Leaders Speak Out
Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver, who is running for a U.S. House seat in New Jersey’s 10th District, said that “violence of any kind is never the answer.”
“Prayers to all who were impacted by this incident and I wish former President Trump a speedy recovery,” she wrote.
The New Jersey Education Association, which is the largest teacher union in the state, said its members are “appalled” at the violence.
“Politically motivated violence is indefensible and wrong,” the NJEA wrote. “It has no place in democracy and certainly no place in America. We wish former president Trump a quick and complete recovery.”
“This election is one of the most consequential in our nation’s history,” the teachers union added. “It must be decided at the ballot box by the American people.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, has been a vocal critic of Trump and his policies on immigration since he first took office. But the nonprofit has become yet another voice that is decrying the assassination attempt on Trump’s life.
“Political violence is always wrong,” the group wrote. “So is the hateful, divisive rhetoric that has repeatedly led to such violence in recent years. Before it’s too late, our nation must stop this slow-motion descent back to the 1960s, when violence took the lives of politicians, civil rights leaders, college students, and countless people overseas.”
A rocky road lies ahead, however – with the assassination attempt certain to be a key factor in how the 2024 presidential election plays out.
Some political pundits are speculating that the shooting will consolidate Trump’s voter base at a time when he needs it the most, in addition to creating sympathy among voters who are on the fence about his latest presidential aspirations.
Meanwhile, activists gathering in Milwaukee for the start of the Republican National Convention say the assassination attempt won’t affect their long-standing plans to demonstrate outside the convention site this week, with abortion rights, immigration and the war in Gaza being listed among their demands. See Related: GOP Convention Protests Are On Despite Shooting At Trump Rally
Some have argued that Trump’s own history of making incendiary remarks can’t be ignored – especially his insistence that the 2020 election was fraudulent and his urges to supporters to “fight like hell” prior to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
“Never accept any violent behavior of any kind,” one person commented online. “But when a person who leads a country … promotes hate and does hateful things to others, there is a consequence. Not that it’s right but [it] happens.”
“I’m truly glad Trump wasn’t seriously hurt, and so sad for the death of a spectator, and the injuries of others,” another person commented online. “However, the dismissal of the classified documents case by the partisan ‘judge’ Cannon reminds us that there is a legitimate political battle that still must be won. Not with violence. Not with threats. But with the pressing of justice and truthtelling.”
Others have alleged that the Biden administration has put out violent rhetoric of their own this election cycle, including a recent comment to campaign donors on July 8 to “put Trump in the bullseye.”
“Y’all know if roles were reversed the Dems would already have lost their minds,” a social media commenter wrote.
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