Just two months after an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania, another apparent attempt on the Republican presidential nominee’s life was thwarted by authorities on Sunday at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
At a glance:
- A second assassination attempt on Donald Trump was foiled as shots were fired at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
- Authorities apprehended the suspect, who fled the scene after being confronted by Secret Service agents.
- Trump reassured his supporters, stating he is “safe and well” and expressing gratitude to the Secret Service.
Trump was unharmed, and a suspect who fled the scene was arrested. Politicians across the political spectrum have condemned the attack, and law enforcement officials have launched an investigation into the incident.
Hiding in the Bushes: What Happened
Around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, while Trump was golfing, a Secret Service agent stationed one hole ahead of the former President spotted a rifle muzzle peeking out of bushes lining the golf course, about 300 to 500 yards away. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw recounted the events during a press briefing later that day. For comparison, the shooter in the July assassination attempt was approximately 400 feet from Trump—about one-third of the distance.
Secret Service personnel immediately opened fire on the gunman, who then dropped his weapon and fled. The weapon recovered at the scene was an “AK-47-style rifle with a scope,” along with two backpacks containing ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera.
Authorities pursued the suspect, and with the help of a witness who photographed the vehicle, they managed to pull the car over on a highway. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said in a Facebook post that the suspect was apprehended without incident. “We did not give him an opportunity to put up a fight,” Snyder told reporters.
The suspect, identified by anonymous sources as Ryan Routh, was reportedly calm and unemotional during the arrest.
Trump’s Response: ‘I will NEVER SURRENDER!’
In an email to supporters, Trump provided reassurance: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
After the incident, Trump returned to his nearby residence at Mar-a-Lago, approximately 4.5 miles away from the golf course. According to his running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, and supporter Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump was in “good spirits” despite the apparent assassination attempt.
In a separate statement on Truth Social later that night, Trump expressed his gratitude to the Secret Service, Sheriff Bradshaw, and other law enforcement agencies for their swift action.
“THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING,” Trump wrote.
“I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”
Investigations Continue: What’s Next?
The Secret Service has launched a full investigation into the attempted attack. Reports from law enforcement suggest that the shooter may have used online platforms headquartered outside the U.S., leading the FBI to initiate a global investigation into the suspect’s connections.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state would also be conducting its own investigation, emphasizing that “the people deserve the truth about how this suspect got so close to the former president.” DeSantis, who recently endorsed Trump, has vowed to ensure that a full review of security protocols is conducted.
Meanwhile, calls for increased protection for Trump have intensified. Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) urged President Biden to grant Trump the same security protections afforded to a sitting president.
Broader Reactions: ‘Violence Has No Place’
In a statement from the White House, President Joe Biden commended the Secret Service and expressed relief that Trump was unharmed. “There is no place for political violence in our country,” Biden said. Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, echoed the sentiment, stating that “violence has no place” in America.
Republicans and Democrats alike have condemned the attack, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) posting on X (formerly Twitter): “No leader in American history has endured more attacks and remained so strong and resilient. He is unstoppable.”
World leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, also expressed their relief that the assassination attempt failed and condemned political violence.
The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of political figures and the broader issue of political violence in America, with ongoing investigations likely to uncover more details in the coming days.
