By Julie Prisco

Following the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania, Long Island elected officials have condemned the attack and called for reflection on the political violence accompanying the nation’s deep divisions.

Trump was seen pumping his fist in defiance last Friday as blood ran down his face from his right ear, which was grazed by a bullet. He was rushed to safety by the Secret Service and was later released from a nearby hospital in good condition. 

Officials from both side of the aisle expressed relief that Trump survived the assault, paid tribute to the victims, and decried the extremism that has seized the political climate.

Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park), a former NYPD detective familiar with event security and firearms, said he was grateful for the Secret Service members who got Trump to safety. 

“Praying for President Trump and all supporters in Pennsylvania. Grateful for my law enforcement brothers and sisters who ran towards danger,” D’Esposito said.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with my friend, our 45th president, and hopefully our next president, Donald J. Trump, for a speedy recovery. President Trump is the most resilient person I’ve ever met and I’m confident that he will recover and come back stronger than ever. God bless Donald J. Trump.”

The campaign rally for Trump was held at Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pa. The shooter has been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa.  He is a registered Republican who donate once to a Democratic cause.

A Secret Service spokesperson said the agency’s personnel neutralized the shooter, who is dead. In addition, one spectator was killed and two other spectators were critically injured. Former Fire Chief Corey Comperatone was identified as the man who died in the assassin’s attack.

While elected officials were thankful for Trump’s safety, they asked people to remember the victims of violence and called for an easing of tensions over the country’s political divide.

State Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-North Shore) said the assasination attempt showed the need for greater gun-safety measures.

“While we are gratified that Trump survived, we grieve for the spectator who was killed and all who were wounded, their families and our nation,” Lavine said. “Gun violence, which is all too prevalent in America, is repugnant to our national values. Americans of good faith just confront the amount of hate, intolerance, and brutality in our political culture.”

State Sen Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) said the shooting was an indication of the current political climate.

“This attack on President Trump is just further proof at how bad our country’s divisions have become. It’s time we all denounce the extremism that spawns this kind of violence in all its shapes and forms because we are better than this,” said Martins. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this senseless attack. We thank law enforcement for their quick action, and we hope with all our hearts that our country can find peace and reject extremism in all its forms. Now is the time to say ‘enough!’”

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena (R-Manhasset) said this should be a time of reflection and thanks.

 “I’m thankful that President Trump is safe and that the outcome wasn’t worse because it could have triggered a frightening wave of violence. But there was a victim, so we have some soul-searching to do,” DeSena said.

“It just makes it abundantly clear that we must renounce the kind of hateful rhetoric that’s fueling the deep divisions in our country. We have to know in our hearts that there’s far more that unites us than divides us, so it’s time we all start emphasizing that.”