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| Trump says Scalise's condition after shooting is 'more difficult' than thought | Trump says Scalise's condition after shooting is 'more difficult' than thought |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Donald Trump said Steve Scalise, the majority whip who was shot when a gunman opened fire during a congressional Republican baseball practice, is in a “more difficult” condition than was initially realized. | Donald Trump said Steve Scalise, the majority whip who was shot when a gunman opened fire during a congressional Republican baseball practice, is in a “more difficult” condition than was initially realized. |
| The president and his wife, Melania, paid a visit to the hospital where Scalise was being treated on Wednesday night, arriving with two large bouquets of white flowers. The president sat by the bedside of the wounded congressman and spoke with his doctors and wife, Jennifer, for 15 minutes. | The president and his wife, Melania, paid a visit to the hospital where Scalise was being treated on Wednesday night, arriving with two large bouquets of white flowers. The president sat by the bedside of the wounded congressman and spoke with his doctors and wife, Jennifer, for 15 minutes. |
| “It’s been much more difficult than people even thought at the time,” Trump said in remarks at the White House on Thursday. “He’s in some trouble. But he’s a great fighter and he’s going to be ok, we hope.” | “It’s been much more difficult than people even thought at the time,” Trump said in remarks at the White House on Thursday. “He’s in some trouble. But he’s a great fighter and he’s going to be ok, we hope.” |
| On Wednesday morning a lone gunman with a rifle fired at Republican lawmakers, turning baseball practice at a field in Alexandria, Virginia into “bedlam”. Scalise was struck in the left hip and collapsed on the field, according to witnesses. They said Scalise dragged himself from the infield as the shooting continued. | On Wednesday morning a lone gunman with a rifle fired at Republican lawmakers, turning baseball practice at a field in Alexandria, Virginia into “bedlam”. Scalise was struck in the left hip and collapsed on the field, according to witnesses. They said Scalise dragged himself from the infield as the shooting continued. |
| The senior Republican suffered extensive injuries and was in critical condition on Wednesday night, according to the most recent report from the hospital, MedStar Washington. The bullet struck Scalise in the hip, and traveled across his body, shattering bones and passing through internal organs, causing major internal bleeding. Doctors immediately performed surgery, but additional operations will be required, the hospital said in the late-night statement. | The senior Republican suffered extensive injuries and was in critical condition on Wednesday night, according to the most recent report from the hospital, MedStar Washington. The bullet struck Scalise in the hip, and traveled across his body, shattering bones and passing through internal organs, causing major internal bleeding. Doctors immediately performed surgery, but additional operations will be required, the hospital said in the late-night statement. |
| Five people were injured, including Scalise. The gunman, identified by authorities as James Hodgkinson, died of wounds he sustained during a shootout with police. Officers in Scalise’s protective detail engaged the shooter, and their swift action has been praised for saving lives. | Five people were injured, including Scalise. The gunman, identified by authorities as James Hodgkinson, died of wounds he sustained during a shootout with police. Officers in Scalise’s protective detail engaged the shooter, and their swift action has been praised for saving lives. |
| Despite a record of domestic violence, Hodgkinson had no felony convictions and was therefore able to legally purchase the weapons from licensed sellers – an SKS 7.62 semi-automatic rifle and a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun, according to a statement from the FBI. His white van, parked at the YMCA gym beside the practice field, was searched; his cellphone, computer and camera were recovered. | |
| Scalise, his colleagues, a few of their children and staffers were practicing for the congressional baseball game, an annual tradition where Republicans and Democrats compete in a friendly match for charity, when the assault began. The game will be played on Thursday night as scheduled at Nationals Park stadium. | Scalise, his colleagues, a few of their children and staffers were practicing for the congressional baseball game, an annual tradition where Republicans and Democrats compete in a friendly match for charity, when the assault began. The game will be played on Thursday night as scheduled at Nationals Park stadium. |
| On Capitol Hill on Thursday, members of Congress tried to remain optimistic about Scalise’s condition. In a floor speech, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell urged prayer for the Louisiana congressman and everyone who was injured, saying that it had been an “immensely difficult 24 hours for all the victims”. | |
| Congressman Cedric Richmond, a Democrat from Louisiana and the team’s star pitcher, visited Scalise twice on Wednesday and will do so again before taking the mound on Thursday. | |
| Richmond said Scalise is still “fighting” after had a third surgery Thursday morning. | |
| “I’m prayerful that he will pull through,” Richmond replied, when asked if he was confident Scalise would survive. | |
| “I’ve known Steve a long time. and I know that he’s very persistent and strong, which is why I characterize him like a little chihuahua,” Richmond said. “He’s always fighting, that’s why this is right up his ally.” | |
| “It’ll be a different game without him there,” Richmond said. | |
| Minority leader Nancy Pelosi | |
| said of the Democratic team: “We are going to play our hardest to win tonight, but throughout the whole game we will all be Team Scalise.” | |
| While this was a time to put political divisions aside, Pelosi said, she forcefully condemned Republicans who sought to blame the attack on liberals and the rise of an activist left. | While this was a time to put political divisions aside, Pelosi said, she forcefully condemned Republicans who sought to blame the attack on liberals and the rise of an activist left. |
| “How dare they say such a thing. How dare they,” the minority leader said. She pointed to the attack ads against her that Republicans have run in the Georgia special election and said they have resulted in “calls to my home constantly, threats in front of my grandchildren”. | “How dare they say such a thing. How dare they,” the minority leader said. She pointed to the attack ads against her that Republicans have run in the Georgia special election and said they have resulted in “calls to my home constantly, threats in front of my grandchildren”. |
| “This sick individual does something despicable and it was horrible what he did, hateful, but for them to all of a sudden be sanctimonious as if they’ve never seen such a thing before – and I don’t even want to go into the president of the United States, in terms of some of the language that he has used.” | |
| Congressman Roger Williams, a Republican from Texas, who is on crutches after being injured while running for safety during the shooting, said he thinks the shooting had more to do with the individual than his political leaning. | |
| “I’m not so sure this guy yesterday was Republican, Democrat,” Williams told reporters. “I think he was just sick,” he said. | |
| “I don’t know if you can blame this on one wing or another wing. I think it’s just a matter of having a lot of problems and having a lot of anger.” |