Following the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania Saturday, local congressional leaders are encouraging Southwest Florida residents to focus on stopping the political divide.
The former president was nearly killed Saturday after a bullet grazed his ear while on stage.
"These statements need to be tempered down. Again, the person responsible is the one who pulled the trigger. All of us need to tone down this hatred towards one another. We're all Americans. We should love every single other American, even those we disagree with, while we strive for a better and more perfect union," said Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-26).
Congressman Mario Diaz Balart tells NBC2 News he expects the assassination attempt Saturday to greatly impact the Republican National Convention, which kicks off this week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On Monday, the first day of the events, Trump chose Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate.
"Here's an individual who has been hit every possible way. Has been attacked every possible way. We saw it in a really dramatic way after this horrific assassination attempt. I'm optimistic for the future of this country," Diaz-Balart said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation says Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was the shooter who fired a long-range rifle from a nearby rooftop at the rally outside of Pittsburgh. Secret Service agents returned fire and killed Crooks.
"There's only one person to blame, and that's the culprit," Diaz-Balart said.