Biden orders “thorough and swift” investigation into Trump attack and calls for US unity

US President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he had ordered a “thorough and swift” investigation into the shooting at a campaign event against former President Donald Trump and called on the entire country to “come together as one nation.”

In a statement accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and Attorney General Merrick Garland, Biden said he has called for “an independent review of yesterday’s national security action to assess exactly what happened.”

Biden promised to “share the results of that independent review with the American people.”

Following a meeting in the White House Situation Room to discuss the attack in which Trump managed to survive with minor injuries, Biden called for American unity as the ultimate goal in the country.

“Unity is the most difficult goal to achieve, but nothing is more important than that,” he said.

The Republican candidate was wounded Saturday at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was left bleeding from his ear and was escorted to his vehicle by Secret Service agents while he was gesturing with his fist. The shooter, Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old, was shot dead and it was later learned that one participant at the rally was dead and two others were injured.

Biden asked the public to be patient so that “the FBI can do its job and its partner agencies can do their job,” while saying that he had ordered “a thorough and swift investigation” in which investigators would have “the necessary resources,” he promised.

He said he would address the nation again tonight from the Oval Office “from a broader perspective.”

“We must come together as one nation. We must come together as one nation to prove who we are, so God bless you all and God protect our troops,” he said.

At another point, Biden said that he and his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, are keeping Trump and his family in their prayers. “We also extend our deepest condolences to the family of the murdered victim,” and concluded: “An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for.”

Earlier on Sunday, the FBI reported that bomb-making materials were found in Matthew Crooks’ car and home. The attack on Trump is one of the highest-profile acts of political violence in the country in decades.

“There is no place in America for this kind of violence. It’s sickening,” Biden said the night before news of the attack on his Republican rival emerged.

As it is planned that this Monday will start the Republican National Convention in MilwaukeeThe White House chief said he had planned a level of security appropriate to the situation and had ordered a review of all measures required for an event of such magnitude.

Biden’s message of unity ccoincides with that of his Republican opponentwho on Sunday, just hours after the attack, asked Americans to remain resilient and united in a difficult time.

“At this time, it is more important than ever that we stand together, and show our true character as Americans, by remaining strong and determined, and not letting evil win,” Trump said in a message on his social network Truth Social.

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