Trump Survives Second Apparent Assassination Attempt in Florida \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Former President Donald Trump survived an apparent assassination attempt at his West Palm Beach golf club, where Secret Service agents opened fire on a gunman. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, fled but was later apprehended. Routh now faces federal gun charges, and investigations are ongoing. Trump blamed political rivals’ rhetoric for the attack, while President Biden condemned political violence.
“Trump Assassination Attempt” Quick Look
- Incident at golf club: Trump was targeted by a gunman while golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida.
- Secret Service response: Agents opened fire; no injuries were reported. The suspect fled but was later arrested.
- Suspect details: Ryan Wesley Routh faces federal gun charges, with more charges expected.
- Biden’s reaction: President Biden condemned political violence following the incident.
- Trump’s claim: Trump blames the rhetoric of political rivals for inciting the attempt on his life.
- Heightened security: Experts call for increased Secret Service protection for Trump during the election season.
Deep Look \ Trump Survives
On Sunday, September 15, the FBI confirmed that former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. U.S. Secret Service agents opened fire after spotting a gunman near the golf course where Trump was playing. The incident, which occurred just weeks after another attempt on Trump’s life, has intensified concerns about security for the former president, who is also a current candidate in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, fled the scene in an SUV but was later apprehended by local law enforcement. He was charged on Monday with federal gun crimes, including possession of a firearm despite a prior felony conviction. As the investigation continues, prosecutors are seeking additional charges and a grand jury indictment, which could include more serious offenses.
FBI Confirms Attempted Assassination
According to FBI officials, the incident occurred around noon at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Secret Service agents spotted a man armed with a firearm near the property and immediately opened fire. No injuries were reported, but the gunman fled in a black SUV. A pursuit ensued, leading to Routh’s capture by local police about 45 minutes later. The FBI, in collaboration with the Secret Service and local authorities, continues to investigate the case.
The FBI described the event as “an apparent assassination attempt,” marking the second such incident targeting Trump in recent months. Earlier in July, Trump survived a similar incident at a Pennsylvania rally, where a bullet grazed his ear.
Security Experts Weigh In
Retired Secret Service supervisory agent Bobby McDonald, now a criminal justice lecturer at the University of New Haven, commented on the pressures faced by the Secret Service during the election season. He emphasized the need for a thorough review of Sunday’s incident, noting that this period is particularly demanding for the agency. McDonald suggested that the Secret Service might consider transferring more personnel from investigative divisions to protective duties, especially as political candidates like Trump face growing threats.
“There’s no quick fix,” McDonald remarked. He explained that bringing new agents into the Secret Service typically takes nine to 18 months. He also cautioned that temporarily bringing in personnel from outside agencies, while helpful, presents its own challenges because they are not accustomed to protective work on a regular basis.
Former Secret Service agent Anthony Cangelosi echoed these concerns, stating that Sunday’s incident highlights the need for additional protection around Trump, who remains both a former president and a presidential candidate. “He’s not your typical former president,” Cangelosi said, adding that Trump’s unique political role requires more robust security measures.
While Trump no longer receives the same level of protection as sitting presidents, Cangelosi stressed that the former president’s dual role as a political figure actively seeking re-election sets him apart from other former presidents like Barack Obama or Bill Clinton. Cangelosi also commended the Secret Service agents for their vigilance in spotting the muzzle of the firearm, but he suggested that with more personnel, a stronger perimeter could have been established to prevent the threat from escalating.
Biden Condemns Political Violence
In response to the apparent assassination attempt, President Joe Biden issued a strong condemnation of political violence. During his address to the National HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia on Monday, Biden expressed relief that Trump was unharmed and emphasized the importance of preventing political violence in America.
“America has suffered too many times the tragedy of an assassin’s bullet,” Biden said, adding, “It solves nothing. It just tears the country apart. We must do everything we can to prevent it and never give it any oxygen.”
While Biden’s comments reflected a nonpartisan tone, Trump took a different approach. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Trump claimed that the attack was inspired by the rhetoric of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he accused of inciting violence against him. “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at,” Trump said, referring to the Democrats’ past statements labeling him a threat to democracy.
This incident marked a shift from Trump’s response to the July assassination attempt, when he briefly called for national unity during a speech at the Republican National Convention. By Monday, however, Trump had returned to his usual critical tone, blaming Democrats for the ongoing violence.
Investigation Continues
The FBI and Secret Service are still investigating the exact motives behind the attack. Law enforcement officers blocked access to Trump’s golf club on Monday while agents conducted searches around the property. Local media captured footage of investigators walking near the hedge that lines the golf course, while FBI agents could be seen moving between their vehicles and the crime scene.
Video footage posted by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office on social media shows the moment Routh was arrested. The suspect, who had fled the scene in an SUV, was captured after a high-speed chase and was seen complying with officers’ orders, walking backward with his hands raised before being handcuffed.
Routh, who has a criminal record, was charged with multiple federal offenses, including possession of a firearm despite a prior felony conviction and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. According to court documents, Routh had been near Trump’s golf club for approximately 12 hours before the attack, hiding in the tree line near the course. He was apprehended about 45 minutes after fleeing the scene. His bond hearing is scheduled for September 23, with a probable cause hearing later in the month.
Heightened Security for Upcoming Trump Rallies
In the wake of Sunday’s incident, local authorities are ramping up security for Trump’s upcoming events. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman assured the public that a “small army” of law enforcement personnel would be deployed to ensure the safety of attendees at Trump’s scheduled rally at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island later this week. Blakeman expressed confidence in the county’s ability to secure the event, while Patrick Ryder, the county’s police commissioner, declared, “This will be the safest place in the country on that day.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that the Justice Department would commit all necessary resources to investigate the apparent assassination attempt. Garland said the department would “work tirelessly to ensure accountability” and expressed gratitude for the swift actions of law enforcement and the Secret Service in protecting the former president.
Trump Survives \ Campaign Unaffected
Despite the assassination attempt, Trump’s campaign schedule remained largely unchanged. He was set to make a live appearance Monday night on social media to promote his sons’ new cryptocurrency platform. Trump’s campaign also confirmed plans for a town hall in Flint, Michigan, followed by a rally in Long Island, New York, later in the week.
Trump’s golfing partner during Sunday’s incident, real estate investor Steve Witkoff, praised the former president’s composure during the ordeal. Witkoff described Trump as “courageous and stoic,” adding that Trump’s first concern was for his friends’ safety. Fox News host Sean Hannity echoed these sentiments on air, reporting that Secret Service agents quickly “pounced on” Trump to shield him from harm.
With the investigation still ongoing, security for Trump and other political figures is expected to be a top priority as the 2024 election season progresses. Congressional leaders have already requested a briefing from the Secret Service, with House Speaker Mike Johnson vowing to demand additional protection for Trump, whom he described as “the most attacked and threatened figure” in modern U.S. politics.
Trump-Survives
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