Local legislators, bipartisan politicians call for reason in wake of attempted assassination

MOSES LAKE — Seeking ways to reduce the political temperature in a presidential election year, how to apply lessons learned in other political forums and improving security during a presidential campaign are among the topics being discussed by federal and state legislators following the attempted assassination Saturday of former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania has been identified by federal authorities as the shooter in the attack. The investigation is ongoing and no motive had been identified as of press time Monday. 

Tom Dent, 13th District Representative in the Washington Legislature, said he hoped the assassination attempt, which resulted in Trump being shot in the ear, injuries among others at the crowd and the death of firefighter and father Corey Comperatore, would make people on all sides rethink their assumptions.

“I hope it’s a wake-up call,” Dent said. 

He hoped what happened would refocus attention on the job of legislators, he said, which is to work together for America and its people.

“I hope that’s where we’re at. I really do,” Dent said.

One of the lessons he’s learned, he said, is that personal attacks, along with everything else, are counterproductive.

“You don’t attack people. You attack ideas, and you attack ideas with better ideas,” he said.

State Senator Judy Warnick, who also represents the 13th District, agreed with Dent that disagreement over ideas does not mean personal attacks or violence.

“I think we can respect each other as people. Oppose the policies but respect each other,” Warnick said 

Fourth District Congressman Dan Newhouse issued a statement in the immediate aftermath of the attempt, calling it “appalling,” which he repeated Monday.

“There is no excuse for violence in our political system regardless of the circumstances,” Newhouse said. 

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said shortly after the incident the House would conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attempt. 

“I expect the House Oversight and Accountability and House Homeland Security committees to begin their fact-finding efforts in the coming weeks to ensure proper procedures were followed. However, we currently have many unanswered questions.”

Newhouse said he would support an independent commission if necessary.  

“The Secret Service should review current protocol and implement heightened security members to protect the safety of all major candidates,” Newhouse said. 

Newhouse and Warnick both expressed their sympathies for the Comperatore’s family. He died while shielding his family from the gunfire. 

The Grant County Republican Party held a small rally at the intersection of East Broadway Avenue and N. Stratford Road at 6 p.m. Monday with a moment of silence to honor Comperatore’s dedication to his family. They invited community members to join them in honoring Comperatore’s memory and praying for peace in the U.S. 

Dent is a longtime state legislator and said the Washington Legislature set up a bipartisan committee after the 2024 session to work on ways to promote civic education and a better understanding of public debate.

“What has happened is a prime example of why this is important,” Dent said. 

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement condemning the attempted assassination Saturday on his social media channels and said Monday he didn’t plan to say anything else. 

“Violence has no place in our politics,” Inslee said Saturday.

Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell both issued statements condemning the attempt Saturday.

President Joe Biden, also Trump’s presumptive opponent in the race, also said that violence and hate have no place in America, especially in its politics. 

“Thankfully, former (President) Trump is not seriously injured. I spoke with him last night. I’m grateful he’s doing well. And Jill and I keep him and his family in our prayers,” Biden said during a nationwide broadcast from the Oval Office on Sunday.

Dent said the attempt should provide reason for reflection. 

“We’ve got to take a look at what has happened and see how we fix this,” he said. “How do we fix this?”

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Members of the Grant County Republican party observed a moment of silence in memory of Corey Comperatore, who was killed at a Pennsylvania rally where an assassination attempt was made on former President Donald Trump.