According to the Wall Street Journal on Sunday, US investigators discovered explosive devices in the car of the man accused of attempting to murder former President Donald Trump, citing anonymous sources.

While giving a presidential speech at a Pennsylvania rally, former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump was shot in what was coined an assassination attempt by Rep. Senator Rick Scott. 

According to the newspaper, the alleged gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, parked his car near the Trump event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

According to both the WSJ and ABC News, Crooks' father purchased the rifle he used.

Authorities immediately launched an investigation into the shooting and found that the "suspected shooter" carried out the attack from outside the venue. The shooter was then reportedly neutralized and consequently died. 

Following the incident, former US President Donald Trump stated that now more than ever, people must unify and not allow "evil to win."

World leaders condemned the attack on Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, where the former president was shot in the ear. They expressed shock, denounced political violence, and extended wishes for his speedy recovery.

The Trump campaign provided an update stating that Trump, currently campaigning for reelection in November's US election, was reported to be "doing well." Meanwhile, the FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, aged 20 and from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the individual involved in what they described as an attempted assassination.

Republicans accuse Biden of inciting violence against Trump

Some Republican officials are blaming incumbent President Joe Biden for the assassination attempt that targeted presidential candidate Donald Trump earlier during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

Senator JD Vance of Ohio took to X to directly slam Biden and his campaign, accusing them of triggering the shooting. 

According to Vance, "The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs," which represents a narrative that prompted the assassination attempt earlier today. 

Republican Representative Mike Collins also accused Biden of sending out the order for Trump's assassination, referring to a previous statement by the current president saying "It's time to put Trump in a bullseye." 

He also considered the bill to strip Trump of his Secret Service protection a sign of Biden's responsibility in the incident. 

Notice that after an attempted assassination of President Trump, the same people who wanted him prosecuted for telling his supporters to peacefully march to the capitol on January 6 are not calling for President Biden’s prosecution after he said it was time to put President Trump…

— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) July 14, 2024