House Republicans gathered for a somber safety discussion less than 12 hours after the attempted assassination of former President Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania. The call, which took place on Sunday afternoon, focused heavily on security concerns, particularly regarding the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC).
One House Republican on the call told Fox News Digital that most members were “angered by the failure of security yesterday.” While feeling safe “overall,” this lawmaker revealed they had local police stationed by their driveway. Another GOP member expressed “low confidence” about the safety of both the RNC and lawmakers in general, feeling “a lot less safe” following the shooting.
A third Republican described the meeting’s tone as “pretty muted and solemn but unified,” expressing comfort with their own campaign’s security while acknowledging the inherent risk for rank-and-file members outside the Capitol.
The shooting has prompted renewed scrutiny on the safety of elected officials in the U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., highlighted the recent wave of violent protests, stating, “All you have to [do] is witness the violent [protests] over the last few years where cities have been destroyed, innocent lives have been lost, and anarchy has destroyed our rule of law.”
House Republicans who spoke with Axios shared they are taking extra “precautions” at upcoming events and consulting with their security advisors on how to proceed.
Lawmakers from both parties have since called for unity and de-escalation of divisive rhetoric in the wake of the shooting. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., urged leaders from all parties to “turn the temperature down in this country” and ensure a safe environment for a free society.
Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, condemned the current political environment, which he believes is leading to “a dark and almost hopeless future of diminishing freedom, increasing violence, and growing instability led by unserious people who care more about their own personal well-being than the nation’s.” He criticized the pursuit of short-term political gains through exaggerating differences and portraying opponents as “diabolical caricatures bent on destroying the country.”
