Donald Trump was the target of what the FBI described as an “attempted assassination” during a golfing outing at his club in West Palm Beach, Florida, over the weekend. This incident occurred just nine weeks after he survived a previous assassination attempt. Trump reassured the public that he was safe as authorities took a man into custody.
Secret Service agents stationed several holes away from Trump’s golfing location spotted the muzzle of an AK-style rifle protruding from the shrubbery about 400 yards away. An agent fired at the assailant, who then abandoned the rifle and escaped in a nearby SUV, leaving behind the weapon, two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera.
The man apprehended displayed a calm demeanor when stopped by law enforcement. According to the Martin County Sheriff William Snyder, he did not appear surprised or curious about the police presence.
In a fundraising email, Trump confirmed his safety and vowed, “I will NEVER SURRENDER!” He subsequently returned to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach.
The incident raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of Secret Service protocols, especially following earlier failures to prevent the prior assassination attempt. Trump had been expected to speak about cryptocurrency and maintain a busy schedule in the coming days, though it remains uncertain how this event will impact his plans.
Biden and Harris were both briefed on the situation and issued statements condemning political violence. Harris expressed her deep disturbance over the event, emphasizing the collective responsibility to prevent future violence. Biden directed his team to ensure the Secret Service had all necessary resources to protect Trump.
In the aftermath, Trump communicated with several allies and expressed gratitude to the law enforcement agencies for their rapid response. Security has been increased around Trump following the earlier attack, with strict measures at events he attends.
The suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Routh, who has a history of political social media activity and attempted to mobilize Afghan soldiers to fight in Ukraine. The FBI is leading the investigation into the incident, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state would conduct its own inquiry into how the suspect was able to approach Trump.
Reporters were not present during the incident, as Trump’s campaign has opted out of traditional media protocols typically followed by major party nominees. Security forces quickly apprehended the suspect based on an urgent alert issued to law enforcement.