Iowa politicians react to shooting at Trump rally

Iowa politicians were quick to react to a shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania, offering prayers and support for the former president.

Trump was taken off the stage by his protective detail and appeared to have blood on his face. The Secret Service has said he is safe.

The shooting is being investigated as an assassination attempt. U.S. Secret Service agents “neutralized” the suspected shooter, who is now dead, the agency said in a statement. One spectator was killed and two others were critically injured, according to the Secret Service.

Trump, in a statement posted on his social medial platform, Truth Social, said he had been “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”

“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” Trump said in the statement.

In a statement, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she was praying for Trump, those who were injured and the family of the person killed at the rally.

“This assassination attempt on a former president, current nominee for president, and leader of the Republican Party marks a dark day in American history," Reynolds said.

“As President Trump showed when he walked off the stage, we will not cower to such terror," Reynolds continued. "I will be in Milwaukee this week and will proudly stand with him and our party. America will get through this, together, and President Trump will lead us into the next four years.”

Iowa's senators and congressional representatives also made calls for prayers for Trump.

Iowa's U.S. Senators, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, both posted on X, formerly Twitter. Ernst said "Pray for President Trump" and Grassley said "Praying for President Trump."

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who represents the Iowa Quad-Cities, asked for prayers for both Trump and "the future of American Democracy."

U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, Randy Feenstra, and Zach Nunn made similar posts on Saturday.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, who is speaking at next week's Republican National Convention, denounced the “heinous assassination attempt” as “an attack on our country, and our democracy.”

“And while it failed at killing President Trump, it murdered one of our fellow Americans,” Bird said in a statement. “This attack was nothing short of evil. Bob and I mourn with the family who lost their loved one.”

The thanked law enforcement and first responders for their swift response, and asked Iowans to join in her in praying for Trump’s recovery and the families of those shot.

Christina Bohannan and Ryan Melton, both Democratic candidates for congressional seats in Iowa, offered prayers for Trump and decried political violence.

"Praying for the safety of former President Trump and everyone who was at the rally," Bohannan said. "Violence has no place in our political system."

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said in a statement on social media her thoughts were with the attendees.

"The news about Former President Donald Trump is extremely troubling. Gun violence is never acceptable and violence of any sort should never be perpetuated against people who are trying to participate in our democratic process," her statement said. “My thoughts are with the people who attended today's rally and were forced to witness today's events. I am thankful for the Secret Service and all of the brave men and women who fight to keep our nation safe every day.”

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, also offered prayers for Trump, decried political violence and praised the swift response by the Secret Service and law enforcement.