President Biden on Tuesday called for Americans to reject all forms of political violence following the attempted assassination of former President Trump.
Speaking at the 115th NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas, Biden said he is “grateful” Trump was not seriously injured and that he continues to pray for him and his family.
But, he added, all political violence must be condemned, not just some.
“If you’re going to talk about standing against violence, you must stand against all violence,” Biden said. “The violence perpetrated against George Floyd in Minnesota; against Black veterans like police officer Eugene Goodman on Jan. 6; Black election workers like Ruby Freeman. You have to stand against violence and intimidation of white supremacists that murder innocent lives in a grocery store in Buffalo, New York.”
Condemning political violence, Biden added, includes standing against shootings like the Sandy Hook and Uvalde school shootings and shootings at concerts, like the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.
“If you’re going to be outspoken on one, don’t be silent on others,” said Biden.
Trump was injured during a rally in Butler, Pa., on Saturday evening when a gunman opened fire. Officials have since said the shooting was an assassination attempt. While Trump suffered non-life-threatening injuries, one attendee was killed and two others were seriously injured. The gunman was also killed.
In his remarks on Tuesday, Biden also called for gun reform, pointing out that the gun used in the attempt was an AR-style gun.
“You want to stand against violence in America, join me in getting these weapons of war off the streets of America,” said Biden.