President Joe Biden has admitted that charging Americans to put his opponent, Donald Trump of the Republican Party, in a “bull’s-eye”  a week before a failed assassination attempt on Mr Trump’s life happened was a “mistake.”

Following an attack on Mr Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, Republicans have accused Mr Biden of inciting violence against the former President. 

The accusations and criticisms stemmed from remarks made by Mr Biden the previous week in which he said, “We’re done talking about the debate; it’s time to put Trump in a bull’s-eye.” 

In an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt on Monday, Mr Biden acknowledged that his choice of words was a mistake. 

“It was a mistake to use the word,” Mr Biden conceded. “I didn’t, I didn’t say crosshairs. I meant bull’s-eye. I meant focus on it. Focus on what he’s doing.” 

Despite this admission, Mr Biden maintained his criticism of Mr Trump, describing him as an existential threat to American democracy. 

On Saturday, a gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania, opened fire on Mr Trump’s campaign. 

A bullet brushed Mr Trump’s ear, and one person was killed while several others sustained injuries in the ensuing chaos. 

The assailant was subdued by security personnel a moment after he opened fire on Mr Trump. 

Mr Biden has denounced the attack, calling for a thorough investigation into the shooting while urging Americans to avoid speculating about the shooter’s motives or affiliations.