United States: Assassination Attempt against Trump Is an Assault on Democracy

WASHINGTON-Following the attempted assassination of former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Freedom House interim president Nicole Bibbins Sedaca issued the following statement:

"Yesterday's assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump was a grim and shocking blow to the American democratic process. While we are relieved that former president Trump was not more seriously injured, we are saddened by the loss of life and the fear experienced by all those participating in the political rally.

"The very purpose of a democracy is to give citizens a peaceful vehicle to navigate differences and resolve disagreements peacefully, through open debate, free and fair elections, and the rule of law. Political violence is completely unacceptable in any context, and this assassination attempt should be condemned by all Americans in the strongest terms.

"The vast majority of Americans hold democratic values as sacrosanct and rightly take pride in them as a core feature of their national identity. Yet it cannot be ignored that politicians, election officials, and others have faced a disturbing increase in politicized threats and violence in recent years.

"In this moment of crisis, it is up to all Americans, and especially our public leaders, to invoke the democratic values that unite us and jointly banish violence and intimidation from American politics; to commit to upholding the results of free and fair elections regardless of which party wins; and to disagree respectfully and civilly on which policies will best serve Americans' common interests."