Prominent Jews react to Trump assassination attempt

“Political violence has no place in our country,” Senate Majority Leader says

Law enforcement agents stand near the stage of a campaign rally after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

By Lauren Markoe July 13, 2024

After Saturday’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, Jewish leaders joined others around the world in condemning the shooting and all acts of political violence. Officials said that Trump suffered only a minor injury, while the district attorney of Butler County, where the attack occurred, reported that at least one bystander had been killed in the incident, and that law enforcement officers had killed the shooter.

Here are some what prominent Jewish figures had to say, starting with Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania:

Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable.

It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.

I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local…

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— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) July 13, 2024

Ivanka Trump, the former president’s Jewish daughter

Thank you for your love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today's senseless violence in Butler, Pennsylvania. I am grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions today. I continue to pray for our…
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 14, 2024

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York

“I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 13, 2024

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Unaffiliated-Vermont

Political violence is absolutely unacceptable.

I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 13, 2024

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona

Gabrielle Giffords, a Jewish former congresswoman who survived an assassination attempt, suggested that the attack triggered memories of that event.

“Political violence is terrifying. I know,” Giffords, who now leads a gun control group and whose husband is Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, said on X. “I’m holding former President Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable — never.”

The Republican Jewish Coalition

One of the first Jewish organizations to weigh in was the Republican Jewish Coalition, which has pledged $15 million to help elect Trump, and an additional $5 million to be raised from donors and an affiliated political action committee.

“We pray for refuah shlema — a complete recovery and healing — for President Trump,” the RJC said in a release attached to an Associated Press photo of a bloodied Trump raising his fist in defiance after the shooting. “We know President Trump will return stronger and more determined than ever to Make America Great Again.”

“Make America Great Again” is the Trump campaign slogan. The RJC CEO, Matt Brooks, is set to speak next week at the Milwaukee convention where Trump will be formally nominated, a first for the organization.

The Jewish Democratic Council of America

The Jewish Democratic Council of America said it was “alarmed by the shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania this afternoon,” and wished Trump a “speedy” recovery. “Political violence has no place in our country.”

The American Jewish Committee

Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee and former Florida Democratic congressman whose district in 2018 encompassed Parkland High, said on X that “we are all shocked and traumatized by what happened. We must come together to condemn political violence. We are all Americans. Whatever our politics.”

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, leader of the Union for Reform Judaism

There can be no place for violence, political or otherwise, in our nation. This is a dangerous moment and we must all appeal to the better angels of our nature. We are praying for President Trump’s health and for all those injured.” https://t.co/p5rCAqo9LA
— Rabbi Rick Jacobs (@URJPresident) July 13, 2024

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League

https://t.co/EQeKq9QQPS pic.twitter.com/MXv9pDL2wI
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) July 14, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

“An attempt on the life of Donald Trump. A heinous crime, one that can only be condemned, and which shows how serious the global challenges to democracy are right now. Violence in any form and anywhere must not prevail.”

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and commend the Secret Service for their swift action today. We are engaged with President Biden, former President Trump, and their campaigns, and are taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security.
— Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (@SecMayorkas) July 14, 2024

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia

“I join all Georgians and Americans in condemning this despicable act of violence and pray former President Trump makes a full recovery. I thank the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift response. Political violence is never acceptable and can never be tolerated.”

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Florida

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat who received national attention in 2018 when a gunman in the district he then represented in the state legislature killed 17 people at Parkland High School, said he was “praying for the former President.”

“This is not how we settle our differences,” he said on X. “This is why crazy people shouldn’t have guns.”

J.B. Pritzker, Democratic governor of Illinois

Violence is never the answer in our democracy.

I am closely monitoring the situation and praying for former President Trump's recovery. Thankful to the Secret Service for their quick response.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) July 13, 2024

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union

Hauer quoted from “Ethics of Our Fathers”: “Pray for the welfare of the kingdom, for were it not for the fear it inspires, every man would swallow his neighbor alive,” in a statement. And he said that Saturday’s “appalling assassination attempt on former President Trump is deeply upsetting and sadly not entirely shocking. With deep concern, we have been witnessing a gradual descent towards anarchy that has impacted the safety and security of our country, its leaders, and its people. We pray for a return to law, order, and a peaceful public square. We offer sincere prayers for the full recovery of former President Trump and all those harmed by today’s unconscionable attack.”

Josh Stein, North Carolina Democratic gubernatorial nominee

I am outraged by what happened tonight at President Trump’s rally. Political violence is abhorrent and has no place in America.

I pray for his health and am grateful he was able to walk off the stage tonight. I appreciate the secret service and law enforcement for their…
— Josh Stein (@JoshStein_) July 13, 2024

Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union

We @OUAdvocacy condemn the violent attack upon Fmr. Pres. Trump. We commend the @SecretService for their brave & rapid response. We wish Mr. Trump a speedy recovery & wish his family well.Violence has no place in U.S. politics.We support leaders on all sides who call for civility
— Nathan Diament (@NDiament) July 14, 2024

Jewish Council for Public Affairs

“While we are still awaiting details of today’s incident, one thing should be clear: violence is never, ever acceptable and it is a direct affront to our values and our democracy. We are glad that the former president is safe, and our hearts break for all those impacted. This is a moment in which mis- and disinformation will be running rampant, amplified by bad actors intent on further dividing us. We encourage everyone to check sources and refrain from spreading bad information.”

The JTA contributed to this report.

Lauren Markoe is news editor of the Forward. A Bronx native, she reported for The Patriot Ledger, several McClatchy newspapers in the South, and Religion News Service, where she was also managing editor. She also produced live radio shows at WAMU in Washington, D.C., where she lives.

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