“I regret that we are in any kind of world where there is an assassination attempt on anyone,” Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks told The News Courier Monday — less than 24 hours after a second attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida, was made on Sunday, Sept. 15. The first attempt on Trump’s life was made two months ago during a campaign rally.
“Whether it be former President Trump, or anybody else in an elected or appointed position, the mood in this country is pretty devastating,” Marks said. “We’re going to need a lot of prayer in this country for things to get better anytime soon.”
Marks, who previously dispelled any fears for the local safety of elected officials, still did not hint toward any worries of his own security amidst a charged political climate.
Limestone County Commission Chairman Collin Daly also dispelled any worries local safety, noting the quality of life in the county as one of the main reasons he and his family feel safe within the community.
“As an elected official, you have to put yourself in a compromising position sometimes, and I do think about that a lot,” Daly told The News Courier after the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting Monday, Sept. 16. “Fortunately, we live in a community where I don’t have to worry about that. But, it’s hard to think about living in a nation where something like murder, which is not easy to forgive, becomes commonplace.”
Daly also referenced one of Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous quotes, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
“We live in a world where there is just so much hate,” Daly said. “We have to learn from the people like Dr. King, who have faced some of the worst hate and disagreements with love. That’s what the whole world is missing, and that’s what we have to continue to do with this community.”
Daly’s sentiments were also reciprocated by Noah Wahl, the chairman of the Limestone County Republican Party, who made a statement to the News Courier following the second assassination attempt on Trump that led to the arrest of suspected gunman Ryan Wesley Routh.
“I can’t believe that it happened again, violence is never going to be the answer to political issues in our country,” Wahl said. “I’m very disappointed. Unfortunately, it goes to show the morale state that our country is in. I hope we can rally together around love, Republicans and Democrats, because we all want what’s best for our country.”
Wahl highlighted that the current political landscape has taken on much more than domestic policies, noting he wants a return to the “foundational issues” of the country’s government.
“I would like to see people focus back on the foundational issues of our government, because they are really not that divisive,” Wahl said. “All these hardcore issues are dividing us, and I think getting back to the legitimate role of government will help us a lot as a country.”