Trump says “could be some unity” after Scalise “sacrifice”

This year’s game was scheduled for Thursday at Nationals Park in Washington, but after a gunman opened fire on the Republican team’s practice in nearby Alexandria, Wednesday, it’s unclear if the game will go on.

The Republican politician’s condition remains critical though hospital staff said the 51-year-old is improving after a second round of surgery.

Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., said he will be at third base Thursday even though the gunman, identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as James Hodgkinson, approached him just before he opened fire, asking if the team practicing “was Democrats or Republicans”.

In a statement, the hospital said Mr Scalise had “sustained a single rifle shot to the left hip”. The crowd chanted “USA!”

House Speaker Paul Ryan said two members of the Capitol Police – Crystal Griner and David Bailey – were injured Wednesday.

“By playing tonight you will show the world that we will not be intimidated by threats, acts of violence or assaults on our democracy”, he said.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., offered his thoughts and prayers after the shooting and endorsed the decision to play ball. The bullet caused massive bleeding, and damaged bones and internal organs. They said Scalise dragged himself from the infield as the shooting continued.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the entire country is praying for Rep. Steve Scalise’s (R-La.) recovery from Wednesday’s shooting during baseball practice in Alexandria., Va., and that in his own way, the congressman may have unified the country.

“When tragedy strikes we are family”, said Representative Nanette Barragan, who plays on the Democratic baseball team and invited all to attend the congressional charity baseball game at Nationals Park on Thursday night.

WVUE-TV reported former Louisiana Congressman Bob Livingston is saying it’s going to be a tough road ahead for Scalise, who is expected to undergo his third surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He says, “They ran right into the fire” and saved a lot of lives.

The game originated in 1909 and is “the only annual partisan event beloved by all and enjoyed by thousands”, according to the Congressional Baseball Game’s website.

The suspected gunman, James T Hodgkinson, died from injuries hours after Wednesday’s shooting.

“I think anybody that ever played baseball, the dream was to play in a major league stadium”, Richmond said past year. Socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, for whom the shooter had campaigned, said he was “sickened” by a crime “against our most deeply held American values”.