President Biden spoke with former President Donald Trump by phone Monday after a second assassination attempt, a White House official said.
The official said Mr. Biden spoke with the former president and “conveyed his relief that he is safe.”
“The two shared a cordial conversation and former President Trump expressed his thanks for the call,” the official said.
Earlier Monday, Mr. Trump blamed Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, for fomenting the violence against him with their campaign rhetoric.
Mr. Biden told reporters Monday afternoon that he had reached out to Mr. Trump but was unable to connect with his political rival.
“I called him, but he wasn’t available. I’m going to try again later,” Mr. Biden told reporters as he arrived at the White House after an event in Philadelphia.
In the aftermath of the first assassination attempt of Mr. Trump in July, Mr. Biden called the former president. He later described the conversation as “very cordial.”
Mr. Biden, who was the Democratic nominee for the president at the time of the first incident, paused his campaign activities following the July shooting.
Ms. Harris did not say she would pause her campaign activities. She did not have any public events scheduled on Monday but did briefly meet with the Teamsters Union in an effort to secure their endorsement.
She did issue a statement saying she is “deeply disturbed” by the incident Sunday.
“I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance,” the statement said.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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