President Joe Biden faced a delicate situation after the shocking assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, as efforts to replace him as the Democratic Party's 2024 nominee appeared to have lost momentum, according to reports.
Biden addressed the nation following the shooting incident on Saturday, condemning the violence and expressing prayers for Trump and his family. His allies stated that any attempts to remove him from the race had been overshadowed by the assassination attempt.
The shooting occurred during a rally for Trump in Shorewood, Wisconsin. One attendee was killed in the incident, and Trump himself was injured but is expected to recover.
Biden's response to the shooting gave him an opportunity to appear presidential and try to lower the overall temperature in the country. It could also help quell criticism from Democrats that he isn't up to the job.
Prior to the shooting, Biden advisers had urged him to take his fight directly against Trump. However, this argument became more difficult in light of the assassination attempt on Trump.
The political landscape has changed significantly following the shooting incident. Republicans are confident that it will benefit Trump's campaign, while Democrats are adopting a wait-and-see approach.
Biden's allies emphasized that he was making personal arguments against Trump, focusing on his moral fitness to hold the highest office in the land. However, this argument may be more challenging to make following the assassination attempt.
The bottom line is that Saturday's shooting has changed the 2024 campaign in ways that Biden advisers have yet to fully process.