{"id":23325,"date":"2024-07-15T09:42:05","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T13:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=23325"},"modified":"2024-07-15T09:42:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T13:42:05","slug":"christian-leaders-react-to-trump-surviving-assassination-attempt-thank-god-the-former-president-is-alive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2024\/07\/christian-leaders-react-to-trump-surviving-assassination-attempt-thank-god-the-former-president-is-alive","title":{"rendered":"Christian Leaders React to Trump Surviving Assassination Attempt: ‘Thank God the former president is alive’"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Evan El-Amin \/ Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former President Donald Trump was released from the hospital late Saturday night, hours after an assassination attempt was made on his life and caused the death of one campaign rally attendee and critically wounded two others.<\/p>\n

In the early hours of Sunday morning, the FBI said the gunman who attempted to assassinate the former president was 20-year-old Thomas Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He was killed by the Secret Service, Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Here’s a list of 10 reactions from pastors and Evangelical leaders across the U.S. following the failed attempt to murder the former president.<\/p>\n

Ed Young<\/h2>\n

Ed Young, senior pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, reacted to the shocking news that former President Donald Trump was nearly killed by a shooter during a campaign rally ahead of the Republican National Convention on Monday.<\/p>\n

Young prayed that Americans would turn their eyes on God and condemned the act of violence that left one male rally attendee dead at the hands of the shooter and seriously wounded two others.<\/p>\n

In a post on X<\/a> the pastor said:<\/p>\n

“We pray for our country. No matter your political leanings or beliefs, we do not resolve our differences in America with acts of violence. We pray for peace and protection over our nation.”<\/p>\n

“God Bless America. We earnestly pray this nation would turn back to you Lord, your truth, and your leadership. Please pray for the family of the innocent bystander who was killed and others injured.”<\/p>\n

Ralph Reed<\/h2>\n

Ralph Reed, the founder and chairman of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, a pro-family public policy organization, rebuked The Washington Pos<\/a>t for attacking Evangelical Christians on the same day there was an assassination attempt on the former president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee.<\/p>\n

“The @washingtonpost<\/a> publishes a piece claiming evangelical Christians who support Trump are extremists prone to violence on the same day someone tries to assassinate President Trump. Really pathetic & embarrassing for WaPo.”<\/p>\n

In an earlier post in the minutes after the shooting, Reed wrote<\/a>: “Praying for President Trump. Please pray.”<\/p>\n

Franklin Graham<\/h2>\n

“I thank God that former President @realDonaldTrump<\/a> is alive,” Franklin Graham wrote above an image showing blood streaming down the right side of former President Donald Trump’s face after a bullet pierced his right ear during an assassination attempt.<\/p>\n

Graham added that he was praying for the man who was murdered by the shooter at the Pennsylvania rally and those who were injured.<\/p>\n

“Our prayers are also with the others injured at the rally today and the family of the individual who was killed,” he wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Two hours earlier and just minutes after the shooting, Graham urged<\/a> Americans to join him in praying for the former president “as it appears gunfire erupted at his Pennsylvania rally and he had to be rushed off the stage.”<\/p>\n

Jim Daly<\/h2>\n

In a statement shared with The Christian Post on Saturday, Focus on the Family President Jim Daly expressed gratitude that former President Donald Trump survived the shooting and was not severely injured.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are grateful that President Trump was not seriously injured in the tragic shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania this afternoon. We are praying earnestly for Mr. Trump and his family and the loved ones of the bystander who was killed \u2014 and we ask our fellow Christians to call on our mighty and merciful God to comfort all those affected.<\/p>\n

“While the full details of what occurred are still rightfully being carefully investigated, it is in no way premature to call for Americans of all ideological perspectives, Republicans and Democrats alike, to commit to bringing greater civility to their advocacy in the public square.<\/p>\n

“We should and must be better as a nation in our ability to lean into our shared humanity when we disagree on matters of public policy. Today\u2019s events should steel our resolve to do just that moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alveda King<\/h2>\n

In a statement shared with The Christian Post on Saturday, Alveda King, the founder of Speak for Life and chair of the Center for the American Dream at America First Policy Institute, said she was grieved by the tragic shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a 20-year-old male gunman attempted to assassinate the former president.<\/p>\n

King is the niece of the late Martin Luther King Jr. who was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.<\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cI grieve today for the hatred that was displayed tonight as an assassination attempt was made on the life of President Trump. I am forever grateful for the brave men and women of the Secret Service,” she wrote.<\/p>\n

“My prayers are with President Trump, his family and all of America tonight! It\u2019s time for our nation to commit itself to prayer, forgiveness, nonviolence and unity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Greg Laurie<\/h2>\n

Greg Laurie, the pastor and founder of the Harvest churches in California and Hawaii, also shared an image of blood streaming down former President Donald Trump’s right cheek following an assassination attempt in which a bullet pierced his right ear.<\/p>\n

“This is a photo of @realDonaldTrump<\/a> right after he was shot today. This was an assassination attempt on the 45th president of the United States,” Laurie wrote.<\/p>\n

“Tragically, at least one person attending this rally was shot and killed, and two others were critically injured. The shooter was also killed.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s time for us as a nation to pray, regardless of our political affiliation. God spared Donald Trump today.”<\/p>\n

Laurie also shared Trump’s statement<\/a> posted on Truth Social at 8:42 p.m. Eastern time Saturday night hours before he was released from a hospital and subsequently traveled to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He was seen exiting his plane at 12:37 a.m. ET in a video<\/a> posted on X by his campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country,” Trump wrote.<\/p>\n

“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!\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnnie Moore<\/h2>\n

American Evangelical leader The Rev. Johnnie Moore, who is the president of the Congress of Christian Leaders and was appointed twice as commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, prayed for God’s protection for all U.S. leaders.<\/p>\n

“May God protect America and all of our leaders. Thank God President Trump survived this act of pure evil,” he wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Moore also shared Rep. Steve Scalise’s post on X in which he recounted how Trump supported him after Republican congressional leaders were shot at by an Illinois man who had been a campaign volunteer for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ failed presidential bid. The man, who critically wounded Scalise who nearly died, had posted comments on his social media pages about hating conservatives and then-President Donald Trump, CNN <\/a>reported.<\/p>\n

“President Trump was one of the first people to come check on me & console my family at the hospital when I was shot on the baseball field in 2017,” Scalise wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“That’s the kind of caring person he is. Tonight I’m praying for him & the victims of this political violence.<\/p>\n

“We know he’s a strong fighter,” the Louisiana congressman added.<\/p>\n

Tony Suarez<\/h2>\n

Tony Suarez, vice president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, reacted to the shooting by sharing scripture on social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.\u201d Psalm 91:1-2 KJV<\/a><\/p>\n

Jentezen Franklin<\/h2>\n

Pastor Jentezen Franklin of Free Chapel church based in Gainesville, Georgia, urged believers to pray for former President Donald Trump and his family Saturday night before leading a prayer vigil.<\/p>\n

Please pray for @RealDonaldTrump<\/a> and his family after today\u2019s assassination attempt. Also remember the family of the innocent bystander who was killed,” he wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jack Graham<\/h2>\n

Senior Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Church in Plano, Texas, praised God for former President Donald Trump’s survival and called for unity among Americans.<\/p>\n

“May God be glorified in this tragedy and triumph against all enemies of darkness. At a time like this we are not Democrats or Republicans. We are Americans praying against the evil works of darkness,” Graham shared on social media.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on The Christian Post<\/a>, written by Christian Post staff members.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Former President Donald Trump was released from the hospital late Saturday night, hours after an assassination attempt was made on his life and caused the death of one campaign rally attendee and critically wounded two others. 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