WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden condemned the suspected assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, urging universal condemnation of the violence.

Speaking to the nation approximately two hours after the shooting, Biden expressed relief at reports that Trump was "doing well." He acknowledged being unable to reach Trump before his remarks, but the White House later confirmed they spoke several hours later.

"We cannot allow this to be happening," Biden stated. "The idea that there’s violence in America like this is just unheard of."

Speaking without a teleprompter, Biden emphasized waiting for additional information before officially labeling the incident as an attempted assassination on the former president.

"I have an opinion, but I don’t have any facts," he informed reporters, promising updates as more details emerged.

After midnight, Biden cut short his weekend stay in Delaware and returned to the White House. The White House announced plans for him and Vice President Kamala Harris to receive an updated briefing from homeland security and law enforcement officials on Sunday morning.

Biden delivered his remarks from the White House’s emergency briefing room in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he had been staying over the weekend. This setup allows the president to address the nation swiftly during his travels. During the incident, he was attending mass at a nearby church.

As he exited the church, reporters inquired if Biden had been briefed about the shooting. He turned towards them with a solemn expression and responded simply, "no," before entering his motorcade.

Biden received an "initial briefing" from aides shortly afterward and then convened security officials for a more detailed update. Present were Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.

Many Republicans swiftly attributed the violence to Biden and his allies, arguing that sustained attacks on Trump as a threat to democracy had fostered a toxic environment. They specifically cited Biden's July 8 comment to donors: "it’s time to put Trump in the bullseye."

Early Sunday, the FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Motivations behind the shooting remained unclear at that time.

In response to the shooting, the Biden campaign announced a pause on all messaging to supporters and worked swiftly to pull down television ads.

Harris issued a statement expressing her briefing on the matter and relief that Trump was reportedly not seriously injured. She extended prayers for Trump, his family, and all affected by the incident. — Agencies