President Biden said the United States Secret Service needs additional resources after former President Donald Trump was targeted in a second assassination attempt while golfing in Florida on Sunday.
At a glance:
- President Biden called for Congress to provide additional assistance to the Secret Service after a second assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
- The suspect, armed with an AK-47-style rifle, was apprehended after fleeing the scene of Trump’s golf course in Florida.
- Vice President Harris condemned the violence, stressing the importance of preventing further political violence.
“One thing I want to make clear is, the Service needs more help. And I think Congress should respond to their need,” Biden told reporters on Monday.
When asked what kind of help the Secret Service might need, Biden responded, “They may decide whether they need more personnel or not.” He emphasized that the agency is best positioned to determine its own needs as it faces ongoing threats against high-profile individuals.
The latest attempt occurred while Trump was playing golf in West Palm Beach. Secret Service agents noticed a man with an AK-47-style rifle at the perimeter of the course. After agents fired at the suspect, he fled the scene in a vehicle. Authorities apprehended the man as he traveled along I-95, crossing from Palm Beach County into Martin County.
Biden expressed gratitude for Trump’s safety following the incident. “Thank God the president is OK,” he said.
The suspect has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, a white male. Law enforcement officials discovered an AK-47-style rifle equipped with a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera hidden in bushes near the golf course. The Secret Service had previously spotted a man in the same area, prompting further investigation.
This was the second attempt on Trump’s life in recent months. The first attempt occurred in July, shortly before Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race. That incident raised concerns about the preparedness of the Secret Service and ultimately led to the resignation of its director.
Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement Sunday expressing her concern over the situation. “I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt on former President Trump today,” she said.
“As we gather the facts, I want to be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,” Harris added.
The repeated assassination attempts have sparked renewed discussions about the security measures in place for current and former presidents, particularly as Democrats remain committed to smearing the former president as a racist, extremist, and a “threat to democracy.”
