'Praying': Indiana leaders react to Trump assassination attempt

Indiana politicians on both sides of the aisle reacted with widespread condemnation Saturday to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his political rally in Pennsylvania.

"Pray for President Trump, his family, and our country," U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Indiana Republicans' gubernatorial candidate, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"A terrifying scene at President Trump’s event this afternoon," tweeted U.S. Sen. Todd Young. "Praying that he and all in attendance are ok and that calm will prevail. Violence is never the answer."

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, Republicans' candidate to replace Braun in the Senate, also posted on X that he was praying for the former president.

Micah Beckwith, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, said on X that he stands with the president.

"President Trump was just shot with something at a rally in PA!" Beckwith tweeted. "Pray for the President. This picture sums up this man’s life over the last decade. He’s a fighter for our nation! He’s not backing down!"

Tweeted Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam: "Prayers for former President Trump and bystanders that were hurt in today’s shooting. Grateful for the rapid and professional secret service response."

Democrats' responses

Democrats were also quick to speak strongly against the violence.

"In this horrible moment, encouraged to hear President Trump’s team indicate that the former president is doing well," Pete Buttigieg, former South Bend mayor and current U.S. transportation secretary, posted on X. "An entire nation must speak with one voice today to completely and unequivocally reject all political violence."

Nearly 2,000 Democrats were gathered in downtown Indianapolis voting at the state party's convention when news about Trump's injury came in.

Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick told convention attendees that "our prayers have to be with the former president."

"There is no room, no room for violence in our political discourse," McCormick said. "No room."

Longtime Democrat Robin Winston, who was overseeing the party's convention, said "violence has no place in American politics" and said the situation reinforced the importance of democracy.

“This is wrong,” Winston said. “That’s not how we do elections. We are not a third-world country.”

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett released a statement: "The act of violence that occurred in Pennsylvania today only furthers the cycle of division that seems to be spinning out of control in our political discourse. It must stop.

"We know that information will continue to come at us very quickly over these next few hours and days," Hogsett said. "In those hours and days, we are called to ask for God's mercy. No matter our individual faith, may God help us to speak and act in ways that demonstrate the compassion and love that we are commanded to embody."