Former President Donald Trump responded to accusations of being a “threat to democracy” with a touch of sarcasm, declaring at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, “Last week, I took a bullet for democracy.”
Trump’s remarks came in the wake of an assassination attempt on him during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire on Trump from a nearby rooftop, firing a volley of bullets at the former president.
“They keep saying ‘He’s a threat to Democracy’… What the Hell did I do to Democracy?”
“Last week, I took a bullet for Democracy.”
Donald Trump🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Yes This!!!
pic.twitter.com/oXgAsQg7yN [1]— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 20, 2024 [2]
It’s worth noting that the attempt on Trump’s life followed years of Democrats, left-wing activists, celebrities, and legacy media outlets labeling him as a “threat to democracy” and drawing comparisons to dictators while even indulging in fantasies about his demise.
In fact, just minutes before the shooting, President Joe Biden’s Facebook account referred to Trump as a “dictator.”
Secret Service agents acted to protect Trump when he was hit by a bullet that grazed his right ear.
Despite the injury, Trump showed resilience as he rose to his feet, blood on his face, rallying his supporters with a triumphant fist pump and the words, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
I’ve been shot at many many times in combat. Trump’s reaction to stop, stand up w blood running down his face & say wait wait & to look at the crowd, raise his fist & yell FIGHT FIGHT is an UNREAL/incredible reaction. That can’t be taught & as real as it gets. Pure BADASS 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/rPjpF5RuCb [3]
— Amber Smith (@AmberSmithUSA) July 14, 2024 [4]
While the assassination attempt drew condemnation from some Democrats, who wished Trump a speedy recovery, their true beliefs were called into question.
It seemed incongruous that they would express concern for the former president’s well-being after consistently accusing him of fascism. Ocasio-Cortez promptly reverted to hurling “neo-Nazi” accusations at Trump [5] just days after the incident.
AOC calls Trump a neo-N*zi days after he was shot. Is this what toning it down looks like? pic.twitter.com/Ih0Slh94qu [6]
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 19, 2024 [7]
Two days later, President Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, delivering his first public speech since the attack and formally accepting the GOP nomination for president [8].
Trump’s full speech at #RNCinMKE [9] pic.twitter.com/sZtUYqwJig [10]
— AW.Today (@AWdotToday) July 19, 2024 [11]
As the investigation into the assassination attempt unfolds, concerns have arisen about the Secret Service’s handling of the rally [12].
It has come to light that the agency spotted Crooks on the rooftop ten minutes before Trump took the stage but allowed the event to proceed.
Additional Secret Service failures have been uncovered [13], raising further questions about the agency’s effectiveness.
Multiple investigations are now underway, including one by the House Oversight Committee, which is set to hear testimony from Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
Despite facing calls for her resignation [14], Cheatle has stated that she has no intention of stepping down.
BREAKING: U.S. Senators chase down USSS director Kimberly Cheatle in Milwaukee at the RNC.
The footage below was shared by Senator Marsha Blackburn.
The mad rush came just after the House Oversight and Accountability Committee issued a subpoena, demanding that Cheatle appear… pic.twitter.com/bClTZ2o2Z2 [15]
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 18, 2024 [16]