RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Governor Glenn Youngkin has released a statement regarding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump nearly 24 hours after the incident took place.
At 4:51 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, Youngkin posted a statement on his official website, as well as the social media app X, addressing his thoughts and sending well wishes towards all individuals involved with the shooting that took place at Trump’s rally in Butler, PA on Saturday.
“Last night, Donald J. Trump showed us strength and courage, and he showed us compassion and gratitude. I thank God for protecting him. My heart breaks for the innocent victims and their families, and I ask every Virginian, and every American, to lift-up in prayer today all of those impacted. I also ask you to pray for our nation,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Youngkin then continued on with a more general statement towards the values that Americans can try to uphold during times of conflict.
“American exceptionalism is not granted; it is earned. This test of our Republic is a moment for us to do just that, earn the mantle of being exceptional. With one voice, we must condemn this evil violence. With one voice, we must declare that America’s future will be forged by the merit of our ideas, the clarity of our calling and the fortitude to stand for what is right. With one voice, we must prove that we are worthy of the generations that fought, that died, that sacrificed so much to build this great country. Yesterday’s attempted assassination of President Trump was an action of pure evil – an affront against our morality, an affront against our liberty, an affront against the very foundations of our great nation. If we ever deem it acceptable, then we will lose our Republic. We fix this through courage, faith, and yes, love. We fix this by repairing our culture. We fix this by defending our beliefs with dignity and fortitude. We fix this by knowing God Almighty blessed this chosen land, and we will defend America against all enemies foreign and domestic. We fix this, together, by being Americans,” Youngkin said.
Although Youngkin’s statement addresses the rally shooting, it also comes after a recent conversation between him and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham about the potential of the Virginia governor being chosen as Trump’s vice presidential running mate.