WASHINGTON, D.C. — Day two of the Republican National Convention is in the books. Tuesday’s theme was “Make America Safe Again.”
Speeches throughout Tuesday evening included GOP Senate candidates, governors and other key political figures who delivered remarks from the convention floor.
The assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler County, PA continues to be a major topic overshadowing the convention this week.
Attendees, lawmaker and delegates, though excited and energized, are still coming to terms with what unfolded just a few days ago.
“Devastated. For me because I’m 73, I remember when JFK was shot, I was in 6th grade, so it brought back all those memories,” said Sue Means, a delegate from Bethel Park, PA, the same hometown as the shooter who was killed at the rally Saturday. “We had several friends who were there. They were all excited to be there. And then that happens,” Means added. “It’s sad, just sad.”
“I was horrified when I found the shooter was actually from Bethel Park, where we’re from,” said Jim Means.
“I watched our President almost get assassinated,” said Rep. Dan Meuser (R- PA). “But the president hit the deck, got out of the way of those bullets and came up with a fist bump that inspired everybody, and everybody’s still inspired,” said Rep. Dan Meuser (R- PA), who was at the rally in Butler.
“People saw his soul. People saw who the man was. Under those conditions, his instincts of wanting to make sure everybody felt good knowing he was okay. And that made them feel okay. And the leadership qualities that he showed- the stronger the leader, the stronger the people. And that’s who President Trump showed himself to be,” said Rep. Meuser who was also at Saturday’s rally.
“Well, it was shock and horror, who would ever think in Butler County,” said Rep. Glenn Thompson (R- PA) who used to represent parts of Butler County. “I’ve got to believe there was something- a higher power at work or divine intervention that quite frankly, kept President Trump alive for a greater purpose here,” he added.
Despite the tragic events on Saturday, where one rally goer was killed and others critically injured, attendees were still amazed and excited when they got a glimpse of the former President Monday night with a bandage covering his right ear. It was his first major public appearance since the assassination attempt. The former President also made an appearance Tuesday night as his family spoke from the convention stage and as primary challengers, including Nikki Haley, endorsed him.
“The energy is incredible. And I think people are realizing how important this election is and how much energy we need to put behind it to win. It feels like Pennsylvania is ground zero and it’s very exciting,” said PA U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick who was at the rally on Saturday.
“Well, we were this close to losing the president. I was almost on the stage with him at that very moment and there but for the grace of God, we would have lost him. It was a clear failure that that shooter could get anywhere near him,” said McCormick. “It’s a tragedy for the families that are affected. And it just shows we’re in a position in our country where we’ve got to ratchet back the political rhetoric that’s contributing to violence and recognize that we’ve got to get our country back on track,” McCormick added following his Tuesday night speech at the convention.
“It was an amazing response. He hasn’t cancelled, he hasn’t deferred, he’s just working hard and moving ahead, despite just in the past couple of days having an assassination attempt on his life,” said Rep. Thompson.