Aberdeen, Washington's Mayor Douglas Orr has ignited a firestorm of controversy by alleging that former President Donald Trump staged an assassination attempt at a recent rally.
According to Daily Mail, Mayor Douglas Orr suggested that Trump may have orchestrated the assassination attempt to gain sympathy votes.
Orr's theory revolves around the idea that Trump, inspired by professional wrestling tactics, could have staged the incident. He speculated that the injury Trump sustained might have been self-inflicted and called for independent doctors to review Trump's wounds. Orr's initial Facebook post, which contained several spelling errors, was later deleted due to inappropriate responses, but the damage was already done.
Despite deleting his Facebook post, Orr doubled down on his claims during an appearance on The Jason Rantz Show on KTTH. He admitted he had no proof but said his gut feeling led him to believe the assassination attempt was staged. Orr's comments have led to a petition circulating in Aberdeen, demanding his removal from office for showing disregard for the community and breaching professional conduct.
Orr, who narrowly won his mayoral election by four votes after two recounts, is the first openly gay mayor of Aberdeen, a predominantly Republican area. The controversy surrounding his comments has only intensified the scrutiny of his brief tenure as mayor.
The FBI is currently investigating the rally shooting, which resulted in the death of one spectator, Corey Comperatore, and critically injured two others. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was found with bomb-making materials in his car, but investigators have not identified any clear ideological motives behind his actions. Crooks acted alone, and there were no threatening comments or ideological motives found on his social media.
Trump was escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents during the incident, and he later reported that the upper part of his right ear was pierced. Despite the attack, Trump's advisers stated he was in good spirits ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Orr defended his right to express his opinion despite the backlash. On The Jason Rantz Show, he emphasized his background in professional wrestling as a basis for his skepticism. He cited Trump's past as a television actor and his history of deceit as reasons for his doubts about the authenticity of the assassination attempt.
"I respectfully have the right to say what was my gut feeling," Orr said. "I don’t believe that people have the right to intimidate me or disrespect me for my respectful comment."
Orr's comments have led to a petition that accuses him of belittling and abusing citizens and council members via social media and email, calling it a clear breach of professional conduct. The petitioners argue that Orr's actions have shown a deep disregard for the community he serves.
The community's reaction to Orr's comments has been swift and severe. The petition for his removal has gained traction, with signatories expressing their outrage over his controversial statements. Critics argue that Orr's comments are not only unfounded but also harmful to the community's reputation.
Pennsylvania's governor praised Corey Comperatore, the victim of the rally shooting, for his heroic actions in protecting his family during the incident. Comperatore's death has been a somber reminder of the tragedy that unfolded at the rally, contrasting sharply with Orr's speculative remarks.
The controversy surrounding Aberdeen Mayor Douglas Orr's comments about the Trump assassination attempt has sparked intense public backlash. Orr's speculative remarks, made without evidence, have led to a petition calling for his removal from office. The FBI continues to investigate the rally shooting, which claimed the life of Corey Comperatore and critically injured two others. Orr's defense of his comments has done little to quell the outrage, and his future as mayor remains uncertain. The community's response reflects deep concerns about Orr's judgment and leadership capabilities.
