A Texas pastor told his congregation that some church members wished the would-be assassin who grazed President Trump’s ear had “been more successful,” and the clip is now driving a statewide storm.
Story Snapshot
- A sermon video shows Rev. Jim Rigby referencing members who wished Trump’s shooter had “been more successful.”
- Coverage identified Rigby of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and tied the remark to the service after the incident.
- Reports say Rigby also said “violence is not the answer,” while light laughter followed part of the comment.
- James Talarico condemned political violence, but critics still link him to his pastor’s words.
The Sermon Clip That Sparked the Controversy
A short video clip shows Rev. Jim Rigby telling St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church that “people in this church” wished the shooter had “been more successful,” referring to the attempt that nicked President Trump’s ear. The clip was posted online on September 8, 2026, and it quickly spread across political media. The specific line in the video is clear and audible. The church has not, in the available material, released a full transcript for full context.
Local coverage identified Rigby and placed the remark during a service that followed discussion of the assassination attempt. That timing matters because it suggests the pastor was reacting to a tense national moment. Secondary reports tie the comments to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin and say they came the day after the incident. Without a full recording from the church, questions about tone and full context remain open for viewers to judge.
What Else Rigby Said, and How the Room Reacted
Reporting from a national outlet says Rigby also told the congregation that “violence is not the answer.” That same account describes light laughter after part of the remark. Those two facts pull in opposite directions. The disclaimer pushes against any approval of violence. The laughter suggests some in the room treated the moment as casual or ironic, not solemn. Both details shape how people read the pastor’s intent and the church culture around the comment.
Rigby later argued that critics edited his words and ignored his call against violence. He singled out Senator John Cornyn in that pushback. The counter-claim is that selective quoting made the sermon sound like support for harm against President Trump. That dispute is hard to settle without a full, unedited version from the church itself. In this kind of media fight, whoever frames the clip first often defines the story before context catches up.
The Talarico Angle and Why Voters Care
Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico lists the church as his home church in other contexts, which draws him into the story. After a separate Trump-related shooting, he said political violence is never acceptable and must be called out every time. That clear stance gives him some distance from the sermon’s shock line. Even so, opponents argue the pastor’s words reflect on Talarico’s circle, which keeps the clip alive in a tight race.
Talarico Pastor: ‘People in This Church’ Wish Would-Be Trump Assassin ‘Had Been More Successful’ https://t.co/Jk6F5g8kky
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) September 9, 2026
The fight over this clip shows how a few seconds of speech can fuel anger on both sides. Conservatives see a pastor normalizing talk of assassination against a sitting president. Liberals see selective editing used to smear a congregation and a candidate who condemned violence. Many Americans see something larger: a public square where leaders talk past each other, and where trust is low because short clips replace full context. That cycle helps no one and hardens the divide.
What to Watch Next
First, look for the church to release a full video or transcript. That would show what came before and after the headline line and how firmly Rigby rejected violence. Second, watch how campaigns use the clip. If it becomes a stand-in for deeper fears about political hate, then the clip will drown out any context. Third, track whether community leaders on all sides restate a simple rule: do not excuse or joke about violence, ever, no matter the target.
Sources:
redstate.com, foxnews.com, townhall.com, washingtonstand.com
