Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia says President Biden “sent the orders” to try to assassinate former President Donald Trump, making the eyebrow-raising claim on social media as members of both parties urged Americans to turn down the temperature on their rhetoric.
Mr. Collins linked to a quote from Mr. Biden in which he said it was time to stop talking about the June 27 debate and “put Trump in a bullseye.”
“Joe Biden sent the orders,” Mr. Collins posted late Saturday on X.
A reader’s note below the post said it incorrectly suggested Mr. Biden was involved in the shooting and the quoted text was a figurative reference to defeating Mr. Trump in the November election. Many commenters called the post “despicable” or unhelpful.
Mr. Trump was struck on the right ear at the Saturday rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, but survived and is reported by aides to be “fine.” He was walking unaided when he arrived early Sunday in New Jersey.
One rally attendee was killed and two others were critically injured, the Secret Service said.
Some rally attendees said they saw the shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, crawling on a roof near the venue. The shooter was killed by agents.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, and Democratic lawmakers urged Americans to tone down their rhetoric to avoid further violence, though the finger-pointing began in the moments after the shooting.
“The Republican District Attorney in Butler County, PA, should immediately file charges against Joseph R. Biden for inciting an assassination,” Mr. Collins wrote in a later post.
The congressman also said God protected Mr. Trump, who heads to Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention.
“God spared Ronald Reagan for a reason. God spared Donald Trump for a reason,” Mr. Collins posted. “God doesn’t miss.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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