Biden speaks on Trump assassination attempt, says ‘politics not a killing field’

US President Joe Biden has condemned the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, his predecessor and presumptive nominee of the Republican Party.

In an address from the Oval Office late Sunday, Biden harped on the need “to lower the temperature” in politics.

“We are not enemies, we’re neighbours, we’re friends, co-workers, citizens, and most importantly, we are Americans. Yes, we have deeply felt strong disagreements. The stakes in this election are enormously high. The choice we make in this is going to shape the future of America and the world for decades to come.

“But politics must never be a literal battlefield, or God forbid, a killing field. I believe politics ought to be an arena for peaceful debate. We stand for an America not of extremism and fury, but of decency and grace. All of us now face a time of testing as the election approaches.

“The higher the stakes, the more fervent the passions become. This places an added burden on each of us to ensure that no matter how strong our convictions are, it must never descend into violence,” Biden said.

Biden said he spoke with Trump last night, who “thankfully… is not seriously injured. I’m grateful he’s doing well. Jill and I hold him and his family in our prayers,” the president added.

Biden called for differences to be settled at the ballot box, not through bullets. The president also offered his condolences to the families of the victims.

Hours after the assassination attempt, Trump said the “bullet pierced the upper part of my right ear” after he felt it ripping through his skin.

The former president said he has shelved plans to speak on how bad the current US administration is at the Republican national convention scheduled for Thursday.

Trump said he now wants to speak about overcoming the political divide in the country.