Local political leaders have echoed the sentiments expressed by the two presumptive presidential nominees, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, that inflammatory political rhetoric should be dialed back in the aftermath an assassination attempt wounded Trump Saturday, July 13.

“The Cullman County Democratic Party condemns the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. For too long, political rhetoric has driven this nation, our communities, and our families into fractured factions. Let us see one another as people deserving humanity and dignity. I encourage everyone, particularly our fine citizens of Cullman County, to value and respect each other as fellow Americans,” Cullman County Democratic Party Chairman Lance Conn said in a statement to The Times.

Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl was one of several GOP leaders assigning at least partial blame for the attack on Democrats and national media outlets for the “constant demonization and vilification of Donald Trump.”

“The American people deserve better. It is time for everyone to step back from political rhetoric, and look at every person as an individual made in the image of God,” Wahl said in a statement posted to X hours after the attack.

After speaking with Trump hours after the shooting took place, Biden called for a return to more civilized political discourse during a prime-time address Sunday evening.

After arriving in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the four-day Republican National Convention on Sunday, Trump told the Washington Examiner that a recently rewritten speech would be much more focused on national unity.

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our true character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” Trump posted to his social media site Sunday.