On September 15, 2024, former President Donald Trump was hit by an apparent assassination attempt while golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to this incident, he had attempted to assassinate him at a rally in Pennsylvania in July. Fortunately, Trump was not injured and the suspect was captured.
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FBI The incident was described as an “assassination attempt,” marking the second time in two months that Trump has been targeted. Trump was playing golf when the attack occurred, and the Secret Service acted quickly, shooting the attacker before he could flee the scene. - suspect,
Ryan Wesley Rouse The 58-year-old Hawaiian was carrying an AK-47-style rifle with a scope and hid in bushes near the edge of the golf course. According to local law enforcement, Rouse was found approximately 400 to 500 yards away from Trump. He fled the scene but was arrested a short time later by sheriff’s deputies on Interstate 95. - Just two months ago, Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and suffered a minor injury to his right ear. The incident in Pennsylvania killed one rally attendee and seriously injured two others, raising urgent concerns about the safety of Trump, who is running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
why this is important
- The assassination attempt adds to ongoing concerns about violence in American politics, particularly during the ongoing presidential campaign. Given Trump’s polarizing role in American politics, the events underscore the greater risks presidential candidates face in an increasingly tense political environment.
- The recurrence of such attempts is alarming, especially as Trump continues to hold public events and rallies. The fact that Rouse was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and was able to get within firing distance of Trump once again raises serious questions about the level of protection provided. Trump’s status as a former president rather than a sitting president results in a lighter security detail, but his public profile and controversial nature make him an ongoing target.
- These events may also heighten concerns about
United States Secret Service and its ability to field candidates, especially as the 2024 presidential election approaches. Political violence has received increasing attention in recent years, with concerns that it could escalate as elections approach. - Trump, whose campaign has been defined by his legal battles and public appearances, now faces the additional challenge of ensuring his physical safety amid threats against him.
overall view
- Law enforcement officials identified the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man from Hawaii, as the gunman in the latest assassination. Rouse has a criminal record, including a 2002 conviction for possessing a weapon of mass destruction, according to online records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections. Armed with a fully automatic machine gun after being stopped at a traffic stop inside a building.
- Authorities have not revealed Routh’s motive, but the GoPro camera he left at the scene suggests he may have intended to record the attack. Additionally, two backpacks were found on a fence near the golf course, adding another layer of intrigue to the investigation.
- Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw provided some details about the security situation, explaining that Rouse was able to hide in the bushes surrounding the golf course, making him difficult to spot. Bradshaw noted that if Trump remained president, the entire process would be protected by law enforcement. However, since Trump is no longer in office, his security is limited to what the Secret Service deems necessary. Bradshaw praised the Secret Service’s quick response, adding that they “did exactly what they were supposed to do.”
- Security measures are further complicated by the fact that Trump is no longer the current president. As Bradshaw pointed out, there are gaps in protection, especially when Trump is on his private property, such as a golf course. Although the details of Trump’s protection have increased since the July assassination, there are still gaps when he is in an uncontrolled environment.
what are they talking about
- “The threat level is high. We are living in dangerous times,” Rafael Barros, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Miami field office, told reporters.
- After the incident, Trump was quick to reassure his supporters. In an email sent shortly after the attempt, Trump wrote, “There are gunshots going off near me, but before the rumors start getting out of hand, I want you to hear this first: I am safe and everything is fine!” He also Kudos to the quick actions of Secret Service agents who faced two attempts on his life in just two months.
- Several of Trump’s close allies also spoke out. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said he spoke with Trump shortly after the incident and reported that the former president was “in good spirits.” Graham described Trump’s response as calm, despite the near miss. Likewise, Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, expressed relief at Trump’s safety and praised the work of the Secret Service.
- Fox News host Sean Hannity, a close friend of Trump, shared details of his conversations with the former president. Hannity said Trump and his golf partner Steve Witkoff were on the fifth hole when they heard gunfire. Witkopf recounted how Secret Service agents immediately “jumped” on Trump to protect him and then whisked him away in a reinforced golf cart. Hannity also reported that despite the seriousness of the situation, Trump made light of the missed birdie putt before being rushed off the court.
- Vice President
Kamala Harris Trump’s Democratic opponent in the 2024 election condemned the violence, saying: “I’m glad he’s safe. Violence has no place in America.” The White House issued a statement saying President Joe Biden and Harris had been briefed on the briefing on the incident and was relieved that Trump was not injured. - One of Trump’s rivals in the Republican primary, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, wrote on social media: “People deserve to know the truth about this assassin and how he was able to compete with the former president, The current Republican nominee is less than 500 yards away.
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- The repeated attempts on Trump’s life have prompted calls to take a closer look at the security surrounding former presidents, especially those actively running for office. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concerns about Trump’s security breaches. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Jason Crow (R-Colorado), leaders of the bipartisan congressional task force investigating the July 13 assassination, have requested briefings from the Secret Service .
- In addition to concerns about political violence, there are questions about how someone with Rouse’s criminal record for weapons of mass destruction could be so close to Trump. Law enforcement agencies have been criticized for not doing more to prevent these incidents, and the Secret Service has come under intense scrutiny.
Momentum shifts?
- Vice President Kamala Harris has been receiving positive attention and media coverage since her performance in the September 10 debate with Trump. However, a report in The Economist says that momentum will now be fueled by widespread coverage of the suspect’s history and how another armed man managed to get within a few hundred yards of the former president without being detected People puzzled by problem challenges.
- Then there is the recurring theme of divine intervention.
- Rep. Elise Stefanik, a prominent supporter, issued a statement echoing the idea that God intervened to protect Trump, a theme that was discussed at the Republican National Convention, according to CNN prevailed during the period. Stefanik, chairman of the House Republican Conference, suggested that Americans now have an obligation to vote for Trump in light of recent events. “Thankfully, God continues to watch over President Trump. As Americans, we must unite behind him in November to protect our republic and bring peace to the world,” she said.
- “No leader in American history has endured so many attacks and yet remained so strong and resilient,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said. “He is unstoppable.”
what’s next
- The investigation into the July assassination attempt and the latest incident in Florida is ongoing. Despite heightened security following the Pennsylvania attack, the Secret Service may face greater pressure to explain how Rouse was able to approach Trump with a rifle.
- Trump shows no sign of reducing his public appearances as the 2024 election approaches. His campaign remains full steam ahead with no announced changes to his schedule. Trump is expected to comment on the new cryptocurrency platform later this week on Mar-a-Lago’s X (formerly Twitter), suggesting the former president is undeterred by recent attacks.
- Meanwhile, Congress is expected to hold hearings on the assassination attempt, amid bipartisan calls for a response to the Secret Service agreement. Concerns are growing about how the agency will handle Trump’s protection in the final months of the presidential campaign, especially as political tensions rise.
- The latest attack is likely to spark debate about the Secret Service’s role in protecting a former president who remains active in public life. With two assassination attempts within months, the challenges of protecting candidates in an increasingly volatile political climate have become increasingly apparent.
(Input from agency)
