A Texas pastor said some congregants wished Trump’s would-be assassin “had been more successful,” and the room chuckled.
Story Highlights
- A recorded sermon captures the pastor’s remark about members wishing the Trump shooter had done more.
- Reports identify the minister as Rev. Jim Rigby of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin.
- The pastor also said “violence is not the answer,” while critics say the tone normalized the attack.
- Senate hopeful James Talarico condemned political violence in a separate statement.
Recorded Sermon Sparks Outrage Over Trump Assassination Remark
A video clip shows a minister saying, “We still have people in this church that wish that the young man had not just nicked his ear, but been more successful.” The line refers to the attempted assassination of President Trump. The clip, posted online, matches reports describing the sermon remark. The quote is clear and complete in that segment, and it is the focus of the public backlash. The recording has fueled anger among Texans and beyond.
Local reporting names the minister as Rev. Jim Rigby of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin. Reports tie the sermon to the day after discussion of the assassination attempt, which increased the shock. The timing matters to many who expect houses of worship to lead with prayer, not flippant lines about a near-death attack on a sitting president. That is why the comment drew broad scrutiny from voters across the spectrum.
Audience Reaction And Pastor’s Defense Intensify the Debate
Coverage notes the remark drew “light laughter” in the room. That reaction struck many as chilling. People heard the words and sensed a casual tone about political violence. The minister later said his sermon also stated, “violence is not the answer.” He accused critics of editing his words to mislead voters. The debate now turns on tone, timing, and what message a church sends when it jokes near a grave event for the nation’s leader.
Critics argue the quoted line normalizes violence by speaking of “people in this church” who wanted more harm done. Supporters point to the anti-violence disclaimer and say context matters. The clip is short, and a full church transcript has not been produced in the public sources reviewed. That gap leaves room for partisan framing. Still, the line itself is not disputed, and it is what many heard first and will remember most.
Ties To Candidate James Talarico And His Public Stance
James Talarico is identified as attending the church. He is running for the United States Senate. Reports show he separately condemned political violence after the Trump shooting, calling it “unacceptable in every form.” That statement sets a firm line. Yet the controversy still touches his campaign because voters connect a candidate to his home church’s pulpit, even when he did not speak those words or stand by them.
Talarico Pastor: ‘People in This Church’ Wish Would-Be Trump Assassin ‘Had Been More Successful’ https://t.co/o969fwzUsM
— Patricia Dague (@patdague) September 9, 2026
The issue lands in a tense media climate where short quotes drive narratives. Research shows outlets often pick clips that match their audience’s views. That can harden opinions before full context appears. Regardless, the plain sentence about wishing the shooter had been “more successful” crosses a moral line for many Americans. It insults those who expect churches to calm heated times and to defend life, law, and respect for elected leaders—especially the president.
What Matters For Texans And The Country
Church leaders set examples for families and civic life. When a pastor speaks lightly about an attack on a president, it erodes trust. It also invites more division and, worse, more threats. Texans know that words in a pulpit carry weight. Leaders must condemn violence without a wink or a laugh. Transparency would help here: release the full sermon and transcript so voters can judge the whole message, not only a clip or a counter-clip.
President Trump survived a would-be assassin. That is not a punchline. Americans can disagree on policy and still reject violence without loopholes. Candidates should make their standards clear, and churches should do the same. The Constitution protects speech and faith. It also depends on citizens who choose peace over payback. Political fights will come and go. Our shared duty is to keep them civil, so our children do not inherit a culture that cheers when someone gets hurt.
Sources:
redstate.com, foxnews.com, townhall.com, washingtonstand.com, star-telegram.com
