Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed deep alarm on Tuesday following the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Garland spoke with NBC News about the incident, which occurred at a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month and resulted in the death of one of Trump’s supporters. He described the attack as a “security failure” that “should not happen in America.”
“This is extremely alarming,” the attorney general told NBC. “Our democracy will not survive if people decide that the way in which they get the outcomes they want … is by killing someone.” He emphasized the importance of understanding the circumstances of the attack to prevent future occurrences, saying, “That’s why we have to find out what happened here, why it happened, and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
The FBI disclosed last week that Trump was struck by a bullet in the ear, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear. The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by government counter-snipers during the incident.
The shooting has sparked outrage among Republicans, leading to the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle amid bipartisan criticism of the security lapse. Garland affirmed that there is no doubt Trump was the target of an assassination attempt, labeling the event as “a heinous attack on democracy itself.”
“This was a major security failure,” Garland stated. “This kind of a horrific attack on a former American president just can’t continue. We have to be sure we stop this”, told The Hill.
Despite the severity of the attack, Garland underscored the need for democratic processes to prevail. He stressed that in a democracy, people should be able to argue and disagree, sometimes loudly, but ultimately resolve their differences through voting.
“There will always be a winner and a loser … and that person’s supporters will always be upset,” Garland said. “But in a democracy, we have to accept the results. Otherwise, democracy won’t survive.”
The incident has reignited discussions about the security of public figures and the stability of democratic institutions. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring such security breaches do not recur, reinforcing the principles of democratic governance and the peaceful resolution of political conflicts.
In conclusion, Attorney General Merrick Garland’s remarks highlight the gravity of the assassination attempt on former President Trump, calling it a significant threat to democratic stability and a reminder of the essential values of democracy. The commitment to understanding and addressing security failure is crucial in safeguarding the democratic process and preventing future attacks.
Exclusive: AG Merrick Garland says the assassination attempt on Former President Trump is “extremely alarming” as the acting Secret Service Director faced pointed questions on Capitol Hill.
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) July 30, 2024
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