Palacios: I condemn the violence
The assassination attempt on former president and presumptive Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump shocked the world and with the news still ringing in the ears of many (like those in remote islands like the CNMI), CNMI leaders are making one thing clear; this kind of violence is detested in the CNMI.
According to international media outlets, Trump was the target of an assassination attempt over the weekend during a rally in Pennsylvania.
In a statement from the CNMI administration, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang renounced the acts committed against the former president.
“Lt. Gov. Apatang and I condemn the violence committed against former president Trump and others at a political gathering held [this weekend] in Pennsylvania,” he said.
Palacios said it’s cowardly acts like these that undermine the core values that make the United States of America great.
“We are glad that former president Trump is safe, and we offer our prayers to those who were fatally wounded or injured. Violence has no place in political discourse. We must renounce it at every chance, every opportunity we can to ensure that all members of our society—whether it’s here in our Commonwealth or in our nation’s capital—can express their political opinions and disagreements without fear or apprehension,” he said.
In a statement from Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan), she said the news is heartbreaking and the best thing to do is to pray for safety and peace in these violent times.
“It’s sad to see such acts in our current time and losing innocent live(s) is just heartbreaking. While we are given the liberties to exercise our freedom, we must also pray for safety and peace for all nations and their people,” she said.
Saipan Tribune has reached out to both the CNMI Republican Party and the NMI Democratic Party, but both have yet to issue official statements as of press time.
According to the Associated Press, the assassination attempt on Trump comes days before he was to accept the Republican nomination.
As he spoke during the Pennsylvania rally, shots were fired in the crowd with a bullet grazing the top of Trump’s ear.
Although Trump sustained a minor injury because of the attack, one man was killed while two others were critically injured according to authorities.
Meanwhile, the White House said President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump, spoke to Trump several hours after the shooting.
“There’s no place in America for this type of violence. It’s sick. It’s sick.” the president said in public remarks.
The FBI has identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The agency said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Secret Service agents fatally shot Crooks, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue at a farm show in Butler, Pennsylvania, the FBI said.
Arnold I. Palacios
