Local citizens, officials react to Trump assassination attempt

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing from some of our local leaders Saturday evening on their reactions to this assassination attempt on former President Trump.

Among them were Representative Chuck Fleischmann is preparing to head to Milwaukee to nominate President Trump to the Republican nomination.

However, this evening’s events stirred up strong emotions for him, as he has been the victim of previous political violence.

Nick: The Congressman was visiting family when he was notified of the attempt on President Trump’s life.

Rep. Fleischmann recalled, “I received a call to get to a TV right away, and saw the tragic news… I’m still shaking.”

He added that Trump’s immediate reaction to the incident was in character, as he said, “I’ve spent a lot of one on one time with President Trump, I know him, I like him, he likes me. He’s of strong character. But it speaks volumes to him after he was shot, he turned to the crowd, and he will not give up. Thank goodness he is fine, but he was severely wounded.”

his day brings back dark memories of June 14, 2017, when Representative Fleischmann and other Congressional Republicans were attacked by a gunman while practicing for the annual Congressional baseball game outside of Washington.

Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana was severely wounded in that attack but survived, and Representative Fleischmann says he has been in contact with him throughout the evening.

Rep. Fleischmann said, “This shooter was a bad person. This is a person who fired not only on a former President, but on innocent people in a crowd, killing some people. This ill will, this bad mind we have that somebody would do something like that has got to be condemned in no uncertain terms. I know President Biden has condemned what the shooter has done.”

He encourages Americans to reflect in this moment, saying we need to put unity as Americans over our political differences.

Rep. Fleischmann recalled, “My mother loved Jack Kennedy, my dad did not. My dad was an Eisenhower Republican. But he always would tell me, “That wonderful man, that very sad day,” and I can remember as a young kid him saying to him, “But Dad, you told me you never would’ve voted for Jack Kennedy.” He said, “That’s correct, but he was President of the United States, and he was a bright, shining personality, and that hurt our country so badly.”

The congressman says he is still heading to Milwaukee, where he expects President Trump to still give his acceptance speech on Thursday night.

Additionally, we heard from these local officials:

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp:

“President Trump showed the country remarkable courage in the face of what appears to be an appaling act of political violence. Pray for him. Pray for our country. Pray for Unity.”

Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett:

“It doesn’t matter what your political leanings are, this act of violence is unacceptable and wrong. Please join me as we pray for former President Donald Trump, his family, and our Nation. We are Americans… And we are better than this.”

Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn:

“Tonight, I join the millions of Americans in prayer for President Trump, his family, rally attendees, and our great nation. President Trump is a fierce fighter for the American people, and I’m thankful to hear he is okay. God bless our brave Secret Service and first responders who acted quickly to protect him. This is a horrific day in our nation’s history.” 

Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff:

“I join all Georgians and Americans in condemning this despicable act of violence and pray former President Trump makes a full recovery. I thank the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift response. Political violence is never acceptable and can never be tolerated.”

Democratic Candidate for Congress Jack Allen:

“What happened this evening in Pennsylvania is absolutely terrible. I will be following the news for updates. I join the entire Jack Allen for Congress campaign in wishing former President Trump a speedy recovery. Violence is not the answer to the differences we have and has no place in our politics.”

Additionally, we heard from a few citizens in downtown Chattanooga Saturday evening minutes after the assassination attempt took place.

Michael Dixon, a citizen and National Guard Veteran said. “That’s crazy what is worlds coming to? It doesn’t matter one side of the political one you fall on he still a person you might not like him but he’s still a person, so there’s absolutely no reason for this for the violence at all. It’s ridiculous and it’s just getting worse and worse and worse.”

As people walked through Coolidge Park, there was a lot of stunned chatter as people learned about the incident.

With many mixed emotions stringing across local citizens of Chattanooga, they believe enough is enough and that a change needs to be made. 

“The biggest thing is that we shouldn’t be surprised that people who said that he was threatening democracy and he would ruin our country have taken political violence is terrible that has gone to this point,” said Chattanooga resident Blake Sliver. 

With the election just around the corner, there are many questions circulating at where the problem lies as there is a divide in our country.

Blake said, “In this moment, I think we need clear direction and clear action as well and I don’t think it’s gonna come from our current president unfortunately just because of all the unfortunate issues that he has but I pray that we have grace and mercy and then we also clear authoritative direction as well.”