Donald Trump was the target of what the FBI has described as “an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.
This incident comes just nine weeks after the Republican presidential nominee survived a prior attempt on his life. Trump assured the public that he is safe and unharmed, while authorities confirmed that a suspect is in custody.
Secret Service agents stationed on the course noticed the barrel of an AK-style rifle emerging from shrubbery, approximately 400 yards from where Trump was playing. One agent opened fire, prompting the gunman to drop the weapon and flee the scene in an SUV, abandoning two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw reported that law enforcement apprehended the suspect in a neighboring county.
This dramatic event unfolded in a campaign year marked by turmoil. On July 13, Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, suffering a graze wound. Shortly after, President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, allowing Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic nominee.
The latest attempt on Trump’s life has raised fresh concerns about the effectiveness of Secret Service operations. The suspect, who was apprehended by law enforcement, exhibited little emotion or concern during his arrest. “He never asked, ‘What is this about?’… He never questioned it,” said Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.
In an email to supporters, Trump said: “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!” He continued, “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
Trump returned to Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, after the incident. It is unclear how this development will impact his upcoming campaign schedule, which includes planned appearances in Michigan and New York later in the week.
Following the attempt, Biden and Harris both issued statements condemning political violence. “I have directed my team to ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety,” Biden said.
Meanwhile, Trump’s allies, including Ohio Senator JD Vance and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, rallied around him. Fox News host Sean Hannity recounted a conversation with Trump’s golf partner, Steve Witkoff, who described hearing gunfire and seeing Secret Service agents quickly surround the former president to shield him.
Trump has had heightened security since the July assassination attempt, with additional precautions such as speaking behind bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies. However, despite these measures, the Palm Beach County Sheriff acknowledged that there are still vulnerabilities when Trump is on the golf course. “I would imagine that the next time he comes to the golf course, there will probably be a little more people around the perimeter,” said Bradshaw.
The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Routh, had previously shown support for Trump in 2020 but more recently expressed backing for Biden and Harris. Routh had also attempted to recruit Afghan soldiers to fight in Ukraine, according to past interviews.
The FBI is leading the investigation, with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state would conduct its own investigation, emphasizing that the public deserves to know how the gunman managed to get so close to Trump.
Sheriff Snyder praised the rapid response of law enforcement, saying the suspect was apprehended within minutes of the FBI issuing an alert. “We pinched in on the car, got it safely stopped, and got the driver in custody,” he said.
The Secret Service is expected to brief Trump on the investigation in person, and increased security measures are anticipated for future appearances. The former president continues to face unique security challenges as he seeks the White House once again.
