Bruce Springsteen Condemns Political Violence, Offers Prayer for Trump After Shooting

Rock singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen has offered a public prayer for President Donald Trump following a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner Saturday night—in a moment that shed a contrasting tone from the musician’s previous outspoken criticism of the president.

During a performance at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on April 26, the 76-year-old took a moment to pray for and acknowledge U.S. members of the military and Trump, while condemning political violence as a whole.

“We begin tonight with a prayer for our men and women in service overseas, we pray for their safe return,” Springsteen said to fans in attendance.

“We also send out a prayer of thanks that our president, nor anyone in the administration, nor anyone attending, was injured at last night’s incident at the [White House] press correspondents’ dinner.”

Springsteen emphasized that despite having opposing viewpoints, disagreements should never escalate to violence and urged Americans to focus on unity while maintaining democratic values.

“We can disagree,” he continued. “We can be critical of those in power, and we can peacefully fight for our beliefs. But there is no place in any way, shape, or form for political violence of any kind in our beloved United States.”

On Saturday night, the suspect, identified as Cole Allen of California, breached a security checkpoint near the ballroom at the Washington Hilton and opened fire on a Secret Service agent, shooting him in the chest.

The agent was wearing a bulletproof vest and survived the attack. Allen was arrested at the scene. Both the president and First Lady Melania Trump were unharmed in the incident, and were immediately evacuated from the scene.

The White House said Allen had written a manifesto that expressed his intent to target Trump administration officials and others.

“When you read his manifesto, he hates Christians, that’s one thing for sure,” Trump told Fox News in an interview.

“You know, they were even complaining to law enforcement,” Trump said. “So he was, he was a very troubled guy.”

Previously, Springsteen has spoken out against the administration’s immigration policies and his concerns over political division and the president’s rhetoric.

Springsteen on March 31 embarked on his “Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour,” which is built around the celebration and defense of “American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream.”