Joe Biden calls out America’s huge problem after attempted assassination of Donald Trump

US President Joe Biden has addressed the nation following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

US President Joe Biden said it is “time to cool down” in an address to the nation following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired at Trump from the rooftop of a nearby building at an outdoor rally in Butler, just outside Pittsburgh on Sunday morning Australian time. One bullet hit Trump’s ear and at least one other bullet hit and killed a member of the crowd.

Speaking on Monday morning Australian time, Biden gave an update on the investigation and called for unity.

“We do not know the motive of the shooting yet. We don’t know his opinions or affiliations,” he said.

“We don’t know whether he had help or support or if he communicated with anyone else. Law enforcement professionals, as I speak, are investigating those questions.”

President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House about the assassination attempt of Donald Trump. Picture: Erin Schaff / POOL / AFP

The investigation is being led by the FBI, while Biden has also ordered an independent review of security at the political rally.

Stating “violence has never been the answer”, Biden listed other significant moments in his address, including the infamous attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, by pro-Trump rioters, and the brutal attack on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in their home in 2022. He finished the list with the attempted assassination on Trump.

“There is no place in America for this kind of violence, for any violence ever, period, no exceptions. We cannot allow this violence to be normalised. The political rhetoric in this country has got very heated. It is time to cool it down.”

He said disagreement was part of democracy and human nature, but politics “must never be a literal battlefield and God forbid, a killing field”.

Donald Trump was shot at during a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Sunday morning Australian time. Picture: Rebecca Droke / AFP

He added America will “resolve differences” at “the ballot box, not with bullets”.

“We are blessed to live in the greatest country on Earth and I believe that with every soul and every power of my being, so tonight I am asking every American to reconnect,” the President said.

“Here in America everyone wants to be treated with dignity and respect, and hate must have no safe harbour. Here in America, we need to get out of our silos where we only listen to those with whom we agree and where misinformation is rampant, or foreign actors fan the flames of our division to shape the outcome is consistent with their interests, not ours.

“Let’s remember, here in America our unity is the most elusive of our goals right now, nothing is more important for us now than standing together.”

Trump has also echoed Biden’s call for unity. The ex-President wrote “UNITE AMERICA!” on Truth Social earlier in the day.

After the shooting, he wrote: “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. I truly love our country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our great nation this week from Wisconsin.”

Biden orders probe into Trump’s security

In earlier remarks Biden said he had ordered an independent review of security at the political rally in Pennsylvania where Donald Trump was shot at.

“I’ve directed an independent review of national security at yesterday’s rally to assess exactly what happened and we’ll share the results of that independent review with the American people as well,” Biden said, speaking from the White House about what action was being taken in the wake of the shooting.

By law, former presidents get Secret Service protection for life and major presidential and vice presidential candidates get it within 120 days of a general presidential election.

US President Joe Biden arrives to speak from the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Picture: Mandel Ngan / AFP

Biden said he ordered an independent review of security at the political rally in Pennsylvania where Donald Trump was shot at. Picture: Mandel Ngan / AFP

Trump is both a former US president and the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. He will be formally selected as the party’s presidential nominee at a four-day convention in Milwaukee starting on Monday, local time.

Biden said the Secret Service had been directed to “provide him with every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure his continued safety” and the head of the Secret Service was ordered to review all security measures from Republican National Convention.

Biden’s remarks came after a briefing with his national security adviser, the attorney general, homeland security secretary, and directors from the FBI and Secret Service in the White House Situation Room.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris being briefed by national security advisers and members of law enforcement agencies. Picture: Adam Schultz / The White House / AFP

He said the FBI-led investigation of the attempted assassination of Trump was still in its early stages.

“I urge everyone, everyone please don’t make assumptions about his motive or affiliations. Let the FBI do their job and partner agencies do their job,” Biden said.

“I’ve instructed this investigation be thorough and swift, and investigators will have every resource they need to get this done.”

Biden said he had “a short but good conversation” with Trump and was “sincerely grateful” that he was doing well and recovering.

“Jill and I are keeping him and his family in our prayers,” he said.

“We also extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim who was killed. He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets being fired. He lost his life.”

Donald Trump seen with blood on his face surrounded by secret service agents directly following the shooting at the rally. Picture: Rebecca Droke / AFP

He was rushed off stage. One member of the crowd was killed and two critically injured. Picture: Rebecca Droke / AFP

Secret Service face serious questions

The Secret Service is facing questions about how the shooter was able to obtain rooftop access so close to the podium where Trump was delivering his speech.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said “Congress will do a full investigation of the tragedy yesterday to determine where there were lapses in security and anything else that the American people need to know and deserve to know”.

Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle has been summoned to testify at a hearing on July 22.

Speaking to CNN’s State of the Union, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said: “Foundationally, one of the most basic elements of site security, especially a site that’s outside and largely uncontrolled, is (to) eliminate sight lines to this space where the protectee will be either speaking or just occupying.

“When you look at that map, it so clearly points to those buildings that are within it, clearly within shooting range.”

A Trump supporter who was watching the rally from afar told the BBC he saw a man wearing tan clothing armed with a rifle climb onto a nearby building.

He said after the shooting, he saw the man shot dead by Secret Service personnel.

“We noticed a guy crawling … bear crawling up the roof of the building beside us,” he said.

“He had a rifle. You could clearly see him with a rifle.

“We’re pointing at him, the police are running around on the ground.”

The man claimed he attempted to alert police several times but they were slow to act.

“I’m thinking why is Trump still speaking? Why haven’t they pulled him off the stage?” he said.

“Next thing you know, five shots ring out.”

Asked if he was certain that was where the shots came from he replied: “100 per cent”.

“Why is there not Secret Service on all of these roofs here? I mean this is not a big place.”

Shortly after the incident, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi released a statement confirming the shooter had been killed.

Biden said he was grateful for the Secret Service agents and individuals from other law enforcement agencies who “risk their lives, literally, for our nation”.