US President Joe Biden attempted to soothe a deeply divided nation on Sunday, following an assassination attempt on his rival Donald Trump. In a rare Oval Office address, Biden urged for a reduction in the heated political climate of America. "It's time to cool it down. We all have a responsibility to do that," Biden stated in a televised speech, addressing the incident where Trump was injured and a bystander was killed. As the nation grappled with the shocking images of a wounded Trump, Biden emphasized that US politics should never become a literal battlefield.
The assailant, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was fatally shot by Secret Service agents during the chaos. The FBI is investigating the attack as a possible act of domestic terrorism and is examining Crooks's phone for any ideological motives. This marks the third Oval Office address of Biden's presidency, during which he also referenced the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, highlighting the escalating situation.
Biden's speech, which was brief yet impactful, included a minor slip where he referred to the ballot box as a "battle box." Democrats are closely monitoring the president after a poor debate performance raised concerns about his age and governing capabilities. Both Biden and Trump, despite their intense rivalry, called for unity following the serious attack, which marks a dark turn in the already polarized election.
Trump, in a social media post, emphasized the importance of standing united and not allowing evil to prevail. Republicans have accused Democrats of promoting extreme rhetoric that contributed to the shooting. Meanwhile, Trump arrived in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, where he will officially be nominated as the party's candidate. The Secret Service, under intense scrutiny, insists it is fully prepared to secure the event.
The FBI is treating the incident as a potential act of domestic terrorism. The shooter's father is believed to have purchased the weapon used, but it remains unclear how the shooter obtained it. Investigators also discovered a suspicious device in the shooter's car. Former classmates described Crooks as a quiet student who was often bullied. The attack is likely to exacerbate tensions in an already volatile presidential race.
Trump may use the incident to reinforce his narrative of persecution, while Biden, trailing in most polls, will need to moderate his criticisms of Trump. Despite canceling a trip to Texas, Biden plans to visit Nevada later this week, emphasizing that democracy should involve debate and disagreement.
