Louisiana officials reacted swiftly with prayers and words of support for former President Donald Trump, who was shot and injured at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania Saturday.
Secret Service members whisked the presumptive Republican nominee off the stage as blood ran from around his ear and gunshots rang out from the crowd. The suspected gunman and at least one attendee are dead, authorities say.
Louisiana politicians quickly began issuing public statements, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson who took to X, former Twitter, Saturday.
"Praying for President Trump," he said.
Governor Jeff Landry called the shooting "a dark time for our nation." Attorney General Liz Murrill joined him and others in praying for the former president.
Congressmen Clay Higgins, Steve Scalise and Garret Graves, along with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy took to Twitter as well.
Scalise, the House Majority Leader who was seriously wounded after being shot while practicing for a softball game in Washington DC in 2017, said he is praying for Trump and anyone else injured. He thanked the efforts of law enforcement, and drew a connection to recent Democratic political rhetoric.
“For weeks Democrat leaders have been fueling ludicrous hysteria that Donald Trump winning re-election would be the end of democracy in America," he wrote. “Clearly we’ve seen far left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past. This incendiary rhetoric must stop.”
"American Patriots are united behind President Trump," wrote Higgins, who represents the Acadiana region. "The left will not stop MAGA Nation."
Cassidy said he is praying for Trump and in hopes that his wounds are not serious, and he decried political violence.
"All violence should be condemned, but particularly political violence which attempts to shape the direction of the country," he said. "We do not bow to political terrorists."
Troy Carter, the lone Democrat in the state's Congressional delegation, issued a statement saying: “Violence has no place in political discourse, regardless of our vehement philosophical differences. We must stand united against such actions and uphold the principles of democracy and respect.”
The shooting comes shortly before Trump is expected to be named the Republican nominee for president this weekend at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
At the state level, the Louisiana Senate Republican Delegation issued a statement signed by 28 members.
"Such an act of violence against President Trump is not only cowardly but also an affront to the democratic principles upon which our nation is founded. It is an attempt to undermine the will of the people and the integrity of our political system through fear and brutality. This despicable act must be met with the strongest condemnation and swift justice."
Louisiana House Speaker Phillip Divillier said he and his wife "are in prayer for President Trump" and quoted a Bible verse.
New Orleans' political scene has also begun to speak out, with City Councilwoman Helena Moreno saying the event is "shocking."
"We are a democracy," Moreno said. "Any acts of violence against elected leaders of candidates for public office should never be tolerated."
East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome also issued a statement, saying she was "deeply saddened" and that political violence "has no place in our democracy."
"More than ever, we need unity, civility, and a recommitment to the values of democracy that we hold dear as Americans. My prayers are with former President Trump, the families of the deceased, and those injured in this tragic incident."
California Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, also issued a statement condemning the shooting.
"As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe," she wrote on X. "As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former President’s rally today are unharmed."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for more details.
This story was changed after publication to properly reflect the statement issued by Sen. Bill Cassidy.
