Trump assassination attempt, political violence condemned in resolution by Kelly, lawmakers

Benjamin Kail, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jul 14, 2025

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly and more than three dozen lawmakers have co-sponsored a resolution commemorating the anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump in Butler and condemning the rise of political violence across the country.

Kelly, R-Butler, who co-chaired a bipartisan House task force that investigated the July 13, 2024 attack at a Trump campaign rally in his hometown, introduced the resolution with Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, who chairs the Republican Study Committee.

The resolution denounces the Butler shooting, which left Trump and two rallygoers injured and killed former firefighter Corey Comperatore, as well as a foiled assassination attempt at a Trump golf course in Florida in September.

The lawmakers also used the resolution to condemn the arson attack on Gov. Josh Shapiro in April and last month's shooting of two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses.

"We must stand up together to oppose violence against our nation's leaders and condemn the hateful, divisive rhetoric that has fueled our nation's political dialogue in recent years," Kelly and Pfluger said in a joint statement. "May we also take a moment to honor our heroic first responders who selflessly run toward danger to protect our fellow Americans. May we unite around the common good of these United States. We are stronger together."

The lawmakers' resolution said continued rhetoric targeting elected officials" runs contrary to "the U.S. tradition," and risks "undermining the democratic process and endangering the lives of public servants."

The lawmakers called on all U.S. citizens "to unite against political violence and (condemn) those who incite violence against political officials."

Comperatore, who died while protecting his family from gunfire at the Butler rally, is honored in the resolution, as are David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who were critically injured and hospitalized.

Kelly's task force and other investigations found severe failures in planning, training, communication and more by the Secret Service at the Butler rally.

The Secret Service has since reprimanded several personnel, implemented new training, and introduced a new fleet of military-grade drones and mobile command posts that allow agents to communicate via radio directly with local police.

Kelly and task force co-chair Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., told the Post-Gazette last week that they are still working with the Secret Service and other agencies to ensure the panel's recommendations on training, communication, allocation of resources, planning and coordination with state and local authorities are followed.

"Right now, we are witnessing a tragic rise in political violence across the country," Crow said. "Last year, President Trump was targeted; this year, a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were assassinated. I'll continue conducting oversight to ensure this administration implements the task force's recommendations so that our leaders are protected."

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