It is a moment that will live in infamy alongside the assassination of Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy, and the attempts on Roosevelt, Reagan, and Ford. People will remember where they were when they first heard about the attempt on Donald Trump’s life, a bullet millimeters from killing him.
Long Islanders reacted with horror, concern, and disdain for an administration that would allow an assailant to get so close to a president. Here’s what people had to say:
"Shame on President Biden for saying just last week that ‘It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye,’ and shame on the Democrats for inciting such hatred in America,” said Steve Brown of East Setauket. “They’ve tried everything possible to beat him, and now it has come to this. Biden cannot beat Trump based on his policies and his horrible record, so is killing him their final option?”
Steve Brown East Setauket
"There’s a tone that’s been set, which has become the new norm, that it’s okay to be abusive to one another,” said Paul Feinberg of South Setauket, a mental health worker licensed in organization and leadership. “We have elected officials who, instead of working together, want to hurt their opponents, and society has come to accept this saying, ‘If they can do it, we can do it.’ It’s a total lack of respect and very disheartening and disturbing.”
Paul Feinberg South Setauket
"It’s time for the politicians from both parties to stop the hate and the language that leads to uninformed individuals who will rise to the occasion with weapons,” said Dominick Licata of East Moriches.
“This is a historic fact that we have seen over and over again in politics. Joe Biden should step down based on his scandalous behavior in government. His whole cabinet needs to be replaced.”
Dominick Licata East Moriches
"This is a stunning moment in the history of our country,” said Suzanne Jewell of Manorville, an administrative assistant at H&G Realty. “For someone to be able to get that close to our president with a gun is disturbing. I was shaking when l saw what happened. I just couldn’t believe it.”
Suzanne Jewell Manorville
It was emotional,” said Ann Marie Recine of St. James. “I couldn’t believe what l was seeing. I’m sad for the shooter, being only 20 years old, obviously in a terrible mental state.”
Ann Marie Recine St. James
It was a shock, a travesty,” said Don O’Conner of Ronkonkoma. “God was watching over him.”
Don O’Conner Ronkonkoma