Former President Donald Trump evaded serious injury, or death, by mere centimeters after a bullet during a campaign rally Saturday in Pennsylvania. The Republican presidential candidate pumped his fist, his face bloodied, as Secret Service agents hustled him off the stage following the shooting. But one and the Secret Service killed the suspected shooter, identified by the FBI as .
Saturday鈥檚 mayhem is the most recent known assassination attempt of a president or presidential candidate since the , and renewed conversations about the country鈥檚 deep partisan divide, gun safety and dangerous political rhetoric 鈥� especially violent threats toward officials and candidates.
So it鈥檚 no wonder that beefing up personal security has been a priority for some lawmakers. As explained earlier by CalMatters Capitol reporter , the Secretary of the Senate and chief administrative officer of the Assembly said that there has been heightened concern about political violence in recent years, and a bill is underway to .
The measure, , would allow candidates and elected officials to use for themselves, family members and staff. Democratic Assemblymember of Oakland is carrying the bill and said she hopes to 鈥渟ee it across the finish line for the safety of candidates across the state.鈥� If passed, Bonta鈥檚 measure could be enacted in time for the November election.
- Bonta, in a statement: 鈥�(Saturday鈥檚) events show that political violence continues to plague our democracy. 鈥� This bill has had bipartisan support because people on both sides of the aisle recognize the safety needs in this charged political climate.鈥�
Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose office did not immediately reply to a request for comment, vetoed similar legislation last year, saying that the bill did not clearly define 鈥�.鈥� Bonta鈥檚 newest bill, however, has been amended to specify what鈥檚 considered a security expense, as well as clarifies disclosure requirements for transparency.
The bill sailed through the Assembly this year and is expected to be up for a floor vote in the Senate shortly after the Legislature returns from summer recess in August, according to Bonta鈥檚 office. It has received no vote in opposition so far, though three Republican senators voted against last year鈥檚 bill. During a March hearing in the Assembly鈥檚 elections committee, Republican Assemblymember of Palmdale raised concerns about the 鈥�.鈥�
California is no stranger to shootings tied to the Oval Office. In 1975, a member of the Manson family cult near the state Capitol in Sacramento while Ford was en route to meet then-Gov. Jerry Brown. And in 1968, U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy died shortly after being shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles while running for the Democratic presidential nomination.
On Sunday, Newsom said he to assist local, state and federal law enforcement during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which kicks off today. 鈥淧ublic safety transcends party lines,鈥� said Newsom in a statement. The plan to send these officers has been in the works since May.
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