Melania Trump issues powerful statement after assassination attempt

Former First Lady Melania Trump, in a powerful statement Sunday, called on Americans to “ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence” after an assassination attempt on her husband, former President Donald Trump.

Melania Trump thanked the U.S. Secret Service agents for protecting the former president and offered her sincerest sympathy to the victims who were shot at the rally. One spectator died, while two remain seriously injured.

“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron's life, were on the brink of devastating change,” she wrote in a statement.

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The former first lady went on to criticize the “monster” who attempted the assassination, adding that Donald Trump has been labeled “an inhuman political machine.” The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, is dead.

“A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donald's passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration,” Melania Trump wrote. “The core facets of my husband's life - his human side - were buried below the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times.”

Trump called on Americans to transcend politics and emphasized that “love, compassion, kindness and empathy are necessities.” She added that the world can return to a place that ascends "the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence."

"The winds of change have arrived," Trump said. "For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide - thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Melania Trump statement condemns assassination attempt of Donald Trump