Another potential attempt on former President Donald J. Trump’s life was met with outrage from Arizona Republicans.
On Sunday, the world received shocking news when reports hit the airwaves that gunshots had been fired at one of President Trump’s golf courses in Florida. As more details emerged, it became clear that President Trump may have escaped another assassination attempt from an individual who appeared to be hiding in wait on the outskirts of the property for the former American Commander in Chief to come into his view. A Secret Service advance agent observed this gunman’s weapon, and shots were fired in the alleged attempted assassin’s direction. The individual escaped and was later apprehended by Florida law enforcement soon after the interaction on the golf course.
President Trump was unharmed. He later issued a statement with his thoughts on the second attempt on his life in the past few months, writing, “I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – it was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”
Many Arizona Republicans expressed their feelings about the incident on their social media platforms.
Senate President Warren Petersen said, “2nd assassination attempt of Trump! Unbelievable. Thank heaven he is ok. Suspect in custody.”
2nd assassination attempt of Trump! Unbelievable. Thank heaven he is ok. Suspect in custody.
The Republican Party of Arizona posted, “The AZGOP thanks God for the safety of President Trump and we are grateful that law enforcement spotted the assailant before anyone was hurt. We stand with President Trump and President Trump will never surrender this country and he will never abandon the American people.”
The @AZGOP thanks God for the safety of President Trump and we are grateful that law enforcement spotted the assailant before anyone was hurt.
We stand with President Trump and President Trump will never surrender this country and he will never abandon the American people.
AZGOP Chair Gina Swoboda added, “We call for an IMMEDIATE increase in security to provide President Trump with the level of resources received by a sitting President. The chaos must be brought to an end, and we must ensure our leaders can serve without coming to harm.”
State Representative Leo Biasiucci stated, “This is getting Fing ridiculous. Give the man full protection, I don’t care if the GOP has to help pay for it. It’s obvious he is not being given adequate protection.”
This is getting Fing ridiculous. Give the man full protection, I don’t care if the @GOP has to help pay for it. It’s obvious he is not being given adequate protection. 🇺🇸https://t.co/AhVSuzfxY0
Justin Heap, a first-term state legislator and current Republican nominee for Maricopa County Recorder, wrote, “May God bless and protect Donald Trump. He is safe after a second assassination attempt on his life. Some things transcend political parties. Attempted assassinations are clearly one of them. Let’s come together to loudly condemn this kind of political violence.”
May God bless and protect Donald Trump.
He is safe after a second assassination attempt on his life.
Some things transcend political parties.
Attempted assassinations are clearly one of them.
Let’s come together to loudly condemn this kind of political violence.
Senator Janae Shamp said, “May God continue to keep the truest man of The People in His protective white light as he leads the fight to save the only Nation created in His name. Amen.”
May God continue to keep the truest man of The People in His protective white light as he leads the fight to save the only Nation created in His name. Amen https://t.co/zTcsDX6GgI
Arizona Senate Republicans won a legal challenge to keep their border security ballot measure on track for voters to decide its fate in the November General Election.
🚨 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 'Secure the Border Act' Withstands Frivolous Constitutional Challenge, Will Appear on November Ballot
Last week, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge issued an order on an effort to stop HCR 2060 from being considered by state voters this fall, “denying applications for preliminary applications for preliminary injunction and declaratory judgment relief” in Living United for Change in Arizona v. Fontes.
In his order, Judge Scott Minder wrote, “Arizona’s constitution requires HCR 2060 to ‘embrace but one subject and matters properly connected therewith.’ HCR 2060 is intended to refer ‘responses to harms relating to an unsecured border’ to the people of Arizona for the November 2024 ballot. In this challenge, Arizona law requires Plaintiffs to overcome the strong presumption that the act is constitutional. Because a natural connection exists, i.e., all provisions are ‘responses to harms relating to an unsecured border,’ Plaintiffs have not met their burden to show a violation. Absent other challenges, the policies of HCR 2060 should be left to the voters.”
BREAKING: A victory for the citizens of Arizona! Late today, a superior court judge blocked a frivolous lawsuit filed by radical left activists in an effort to deprive Arizona voters of the opportunity to take border security matters into their own hands this November with HCR… pic.twitter.com/n3ORsEicEN
Judge Minder ruled “in favor of the defendants on all counts because the parties agreed to combine the trial on the merits with the argument for the preliminary injunction applications.”
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen issued the following statement after the superior court judge ruled: “It’s unthinkable Democrats and our Governor would stand with Biden and radical left activists, instead of the hardworking Arizona families who are begging for their elected leaders to secure our border and promote safety within our communities. As expected, the court ruled in favor of sanity instead of chaos, and we’re grateful we are able to provide this opportunity to voters to have the final say on.”
“My colleagues and I worked tirelessly this session to create impactful legislation to help secure our border because the people of Arizona are desperately asking for it,” said Senator Janae Shamp. “The attempts from Arizona Democrats and radical left activists to deprive voters of the opportunity to decide on this matter is truly appalling. From the spreading of misinformation to the filing of frivolous lawsuits, they will stop at nothing to keep our border wide open and perpetuate Biden’s border crisis. The federal government has neglected the safety of our citizens, and the time has come to empower Arizonans to fight back against the tyranny. I wholeheartedly believe the Secure the Border Act will save countless lives, save billions in taxpayer dollars, and strengthen our national security.”
“While the Biden Administration continues to turn their backs on our law enforcement, we will not,” said Senator David Gowan. “These men and women are putting their lives on the line to protect our communities from the deadly crimes associated with the border crisis, and they deserve the tools and support they need to do their job. Our law enforcement reached a breaking point a long time ago. It’s now up to everyday Arizonans to stop the lawlessness.”
Last month, former President Donald J. Trump was asked about this ballot measure. He replied, “I endorse anything that is going to make it more difficult for people to come into our country illegally.”
"I endorse anything that is going to make it more difficult for people to come into our country illegally."
We asked President Trump during an exclusive interview whether or not he would support HCR 2060, a measure that will now be on the November ballot and would allow local… pic.twitter.com/wDUj8PPJcx
The efforts from Arizona legislators to send this referral to state voters came months after Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed SB 1231, the Arizona Border Invasion Act, which would have “ma[de] it unlawful for a person who is an alien (unlawful immigrant) to enter Arizona from a foreign nation at any location other than a lawful port of entry and outline[d] penalties for violations of illegally entering Arizona and provide[d] immunity from civil liability and indemnification for state and local government officials, employees and contractors who enforce this prohibition” – according to the purpose from the state Senate.
Senator Janae Shamp, the sponsor of SB 1231, had vowed in the aftermath of the governor’s veto that members of her party would continue to push forward solutions to combat the border crisis. Republicans in both the Arizona House of Representatives and Senate came together to pass HCR 2060 earlier this spring, sending the border-related policies to the November General Election ballot.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States and presumptive Republican 2024 nominee, survived an attempted assassination in Butler County, PA, on Saturday. According to reports, an assailant opened fire with a 22-caliber rifle from a rooftop approximately 150 yards away from the mainstage where Trump was addressing his rally, grazing him in the right ear and killing a rally attendee. The Secret Service told reporters that two spectators were also critically injured. The would-be assassin was engaged by police snipers according to the New York Post with one bystander saying, “They blew his head off.”
As the shots rang out, President Trump can be seen raising a hand to his ear and exclaiming “Oh!” after the first round grazed him. A moment later he dropped to the ground and was swarmed by Secret Service Agents as rally goers took cover behind him. One of the agents can be heard on microphone shouting “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” Seconds later, per the Associated Press, the agents can be heard saying “shooter’s down.” The agents conferred for a few moments before helping Trump rise to his feet. After asking for his shoes, Trump is heard telling his agents to wait before looking out to the crowd with blood trailing across his face from his wounded ear and mouthing, “Fight, Fight, Fight” to his supporters.
Trump was transported to an area hospital in stable condition and released later in the evening.
— Republican Party of Arizona (@AZGOP) July 13, 2024
Governor Katie Hobbs (D) posted a statement to X saying, “Political violence is unacceptable, and has no place in this country. I am glad that former President Trump is safe, and hope that others at the rally were not seriously injured. I hope the perpetrator of this heinous act will be swiftly brought to justice.” Her comments echoed the sentiment of many prominent Democrats such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) condemning political violence.
Speaker of the Arizona State House of Representatives Ben Toma (R-AZ-27) wrote within minutes, “Praying for President Trump, first responders, and any others who may have also been injured at the rally.”
Arizona Senate Presdient Warren Peterson looked back on a recent attempt by Democrats in Congress to strip Trump of Secret Service protection in a post to X saying, “It is a good thing the Democrats have not been successful in taking the secret service from Trump.”
In April, Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson from Mississippi, the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security led an effort to remove Trump’s protective detail known as the Disgraced Former Protectees Act (H.R. 8081) as reported by USA Today. The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Troy A. Carter Sr., Barbara Lee, Frederica Wilson, Yvette D. Clarke, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jasmine Crockett, Joyce Beatty, and Steve Cohen.
Arizona’s Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes offered her thoughts in a statement to X as well writing:
“The attack against former President Trump must be strongly condemned by ALL Americans — no matter their political beliefs. Poltical violence is never acceptable. Never. My thoughts are with the former President and anyone else who may have been injured or hurt at today’s rally.”
The attack against former President Trump must be strongly condemned by ALL Americans — no matter their political beliefs. Political violence is never acceptable. Never. My thoughts are with the former President and anyone else who may have been injured or hurt at today’s rally.
— AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes (@AZAGMayes) July 13, 2024
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell noted, “This is horrifying. Violence is never the answer. Praying for a full and speedy recovery for President Trump.”
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes offered his statement, notably without mentioning Trump by name, saying, “I condemn political violence in the most unequivocal terms. NO American political figure should ever be threatened with OR acted against with violence. If we want to beat a political opponent, we do it with ballots, not bullets.”
Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp lauded the efforts of the U.S. Secret Service protecting President Trump writing, “God bless the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect President Trump! #absoluteheroes”
State Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-AZ-29) shared a now iconic image of Trump raising his fist defiantly saying, “Praying for President Trump. #StandWithTrump”
Republican Senate primary candidate Kari Lake issued a statement saying, “I am shaken and horrified by the assassination attempt on President Trump’s life today. I am praying for President Trump and the innocent attendees who were tragically injured or killed. I am grateful for the brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials for their swift action and for preventing this incident from becoming even more tragic.”
Today, we saw an assassination attempt on a man who's been fighting for this country
I'm praying for Donald Trump. I'm praying just as much for his family, & the people in that crowd, & more than anything, I pray for this great Republic & that we can come together as Americans pic.twitter.com/uk9TcwWRu8
She later joined RSBN during the network’s live coverage and wrote, “Today, we saw an assassination attempt on a man who’s been fighting for this country. I’m praying for Donald Trump. I’m praying just as much for his family, & the people in that crowd, & more than anything, I pray for this great Republic & that we can come together as Americans.”
Fellow GOP Senate contender, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, wrote, “Our prayers are with President Trump and his entire family. I applaud the quick reaction and work of law enforcement and members of the Secret Service to move the President to safety and neutralize the suspect.”
Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), who is also running for the Senate seat of outgoing Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), wrote, “Absolutely horrible. Political violence should never be tolerated. I hope President Trump and everyone at the rally is safe. Grateful Secret Service and law enforcement got the situation under control so quickly.”
President Trump made a statement posted to Truth Social, first thanking the Secret Service and law enforcement and offering condolences to those injured and killed and their families: “I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured.”
He added, “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was 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. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), a popular contender to serve as Trump’s Vice Presidential pick, declared on X, “Let’s be clear: This was an assassination attempt aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists, or worse.”
Let’s be clear: This was an assassination attempt aided and abetted by the radical Left and corporate media incessantly calling Trump a threat to democracy, fascists, or worse.
Fellow VP short-lister Sen. J.D. Vance echoed a similar sentiment saying, “Today is not just some isolated incident. The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.” He also condemned Rep. Thompson for his efforts to strip Trump of his protective detail saying “Remember this? I do. Kick his ass out of Congress. Absolute scumbag.”
Today is not just some isolated incident.
The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs.
That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination.
Former Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum, another rumored potential VP, noted, “Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today,” adding, “We all know President Trump is stronger than his enemies. Today he showed it.”
Possible Vice-Presidential pick and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy offered a lengthy statement saying in part, “First they sued him. Then they prosecuted him. Then they tried to take him off the ballot. The only thing more tragic than what just happened is that, if we’re being honest, it wasn’t totally a shock. Biden’s inevitable ritual condemnation of political violence today (when it comes) will be insufficient and irrelevant. No amount of verbiage today changes the toxic national climate that led to this tragedy.
Apoorva and I mourn for the rally attendee who was apparently killed by the shooter. We believe the fact that President Trump is safe right now is nothing short of an act of God. My heart tells me God intervened not just for Trump, but for our nation. Today, the future survival of the United States of America came down to less than a hair’s width in the path of a bullet.”
He added, “If any good comes of today, let it be this: Americans just had the chance to see our next President’s true character, unvarnished. He took the fire, he took the hit, he felt the blood, and then he stood right back up for the people he was put here to lead. Regardless of who you vote for, let’s unite around the TRUTH that what happened today is unacceptable, now and forever.”
Arizona’s children may be safer from predators thanks to the work of one Republican state senator this legislative session.
This week, State Senator Janae Shamp touted the signing of her bill, SB 1232, which will “classify sexual conduct with a minor as a class 1 felony punishable by natural life imprisonment if the minor is 12 years old or younger and suffers serious physical injury” – according to the overview by the Arizona House of Representatives.
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Senator @AZSenatorShamp Champions One of the Toughest Laws in the Nation for Child Sex Offenders
Governor Katie Hobbs signed the bill into law on June 21.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this new law to crack down on these evil crimes. It’s heartbreaking such a law was even needed in the first place,” said Senator Shamp. “If a criminal sexually abuses a child so badly that it causes them serious physical injury, they should NEVER experience the free world again. I strongly believe this, which is why I worked to ensure these offenders face life in prison.”
Shamp added, “We are sending a message to the nation that in Arizona, these wicked acts will not be tolerated, and these monsters engaging in them will face the full force of the law. I dedicated this session to protect our innocent children from these animals, but I know there’s still more work to be done.”
In her press release, the first-term Republican state senator also reminded readers of two other bills she had sponsored this year, that had been signed into law by Hobbs. One was SB 1236, which “will soon require additional level one sex offenders convicted of Dangerous Crimes Against Children to be published on the internet sex offender website.” Another was SB 1404, which “will ensure schools are notified if a parent of a child attending that school is a registered sex offender convicted of a Dangerous Crime Against Children.”
Back in February, this legislation passed the Arizona Senate with an overwhelming 23-5 vote (with two members not voting). The bill received a green light from the Arizona House this month with a near-unanimous 57-1 result (with two members not voting).
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Middle Ground Prison Reform, American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, Arizona National Organization for Women, State Conference NAACP, and Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice had signed in to oppose the proposal as it was being considered by the state house and senate. Christine Accurso endorsed the bill.
SB 1232 will go into effect 90 days from the adjournment of the 2024 Arizona Legislative Session, which occurred earlier this month.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Governor Katie Hobbs, who bedecked the Ninth Floor of the Arizona Executive Tower with the Progress Pride Flag to mark Pride Month, has chosen to also mark the month by vetoing SB 1511. The bill would have required fair treatment for one of the most marginalized groups of all: those who suffer from gender transitions and now seek to reverse the damage, known as ‘de-transitioners.’
Arizona Senator and Vice Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee Janae Shamp (R-Surprise) proposed the “Detransitioner Bill of Rights” in February, which would guarantee an equality of care and medical coverage for those seeking to reverse so-called ‘gender affirming’ care. On February 22, it was passed by the Senate, and on June 12 was sent to Hobbs after passage in the House. The governor issued her veto six days later with the comment: “This bill is unnecessary and would create a privacy risk for patients,” and no further explanation.
According to Greg Scott, the Vice President of Policy at the Center for Arizona Policy, the bill was a “simple ‘good faith’ bill that levels the health care playing field for a vulnerable population of Arizonans and takes the politics out of medicine and insurance coverage.” In an Op-Ed for the AZ Capitol Times, Scott added, “The purpose of SB 1511 is not to pronounce judgment about the merits or the dangers of gender transition. And it doesn’t. Rather, it does what a law is supposed to do – solve a real problem affecting real people.”
Responding to the veto from Hobbs, Sen. Shamp wrote in a press release, “If doctors are going to block the natural puberty process of children and surgically alter the genitalia of people struggling with gender dysphoria, they must be prepared to undo the damage – as much as possible.”
“And if insurers are going to pay for gender-altering drugs and surgeries, they must also pay for any effort to regain the victim’s God-given identity. My heart goes out to the growing number of people, especially children, who are struggling with their identity and are being pushed into physically altering their bodies as a solution, instead of receiving the mental healthcare they deserve. Shame on Governor Hobbs for sending a message that the institutions tasked with protecting their health and wellbeing have turned their backs on them.”
🚨 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Hobbs Marks "Pride Month" by Denying Necessary Medical Treatment for Growing Number of Detransitioners
Shamp added, “I’m fighting for equal treatment for people like Chloe Cole, who traveled to the Capitol from out of state to share her heartbreaking experience of the irreversible damage and regret from attempting to transition into the opposite sex,” said Senator Shamp. “As a child who was confused with her gender identity, she was given puberty blockers and underwent a double mastectomy. She has since detransitioned and struggles with the severe damage left behind. It’s unfathomable that we consider mutilating an undeveloped child’s body as “healthcare,” but what’s even more horrifying is the fact that we deny them access to care when they go on to suffer the mental and physical consequences.”
WATCH:
Speaking to a press conference on February 1, Cole told reporters, “Everything that I went through did nothing to address the underlying mental health issues I had. My doctors, with their gender theories, thought all my troubles would go away as soon as I was transformed into something that vaguely resembled a boy. Their theories were wrong. I now have two giant scars across my chest that remind me every day that I was butchered by the institutions that we all thought we could trust. The drugs and surgeries changed my body, but they did not and could not change the undeniable reality that I am, and forever will be, a female.”
According to the release, SB 1511 would have “required insurers and providers of gender-altering drugs and surgeries to also provide and cover detransition procedures. This bill would have held health care providers and insurance companies accountable for the damage they cause by prescribing off-label drugs and experimenting on children and adults with irreversible surgeries.”
When asked by AZ Free News if she intends to reintroduce SB 1511 or another bill like it, Shamp said, “Absolutely. This legislation will continue until there is coverage for detransitioners.”
“Will it be run again?” she continued. “Absolutely. It might actually get more robust to include more informed consent with patients who are transitioning. Patients need to know that insurance companies will not cover detransition.”
