Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was unharmed following an apparent assassination attempt while golfing at his West Palm Beach course in Florida on Sunday. The Secret Service foiled the attempt, firing on a gunman spotted near the property line, just a few hundred yards from Trump. The FBI described the incident as a deliberate attempt on Trump’s life, marking the second time in recent months that he has been targeted.
The incident occurred as Trump was playing with New York real estate investor Steve Witkoff, a longtime friend, when Secret Service agents detected a rifle barrel protruding from bushes about 400 to 500 yards away. Law enforcement officials reported that the suspect left behind an AK-47-style assault rifle, two backpacks, and other items at the scene before fleeing. Despite the suspect’s attempt to escape, he was later apprehended by deputies in Martin County, roughly 40 miles away from the scene.
Arrest of Suspect Ryan Wesley Routh
The suspect was identified by multiple news outlets, including CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times, as Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old resident of Hawaii. The FBI declined to comment on his identity, but Reuters found social media profiles matching Routh’s name, which suggested his strong support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Some of his posts also appeared to advocate for the recruitment of soldiers for Ukraine’s cause. Public access to Routh’s Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) profiles was removed shortly after the shooting incident, leaving law enforcement tight-lipped on his possible motives.
This assassination attempt is the second time Trump has been targeted in a violent attack in two months. In July, Trump was grazed by a bullet at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. While he sustained only a minor injury to his right ear, the event shocked the nation, raising concerns about his security detail. A 20-year-old gunman, identified as Thomas Crooks, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents during the Pennsylvania rally. One rallygoer was also killed in the crossfire, further intensifying public scrutiny of the Secret Service’s ability to protect high-profile candidates.
Security Concerns Amid Tight Presidential Race
The latest assassination attempt comes just over seven weeks before the presidential election, adding to the challenges of protecting candidates in an increasingly polarized and contentious political environment. Trump’s opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s candidate in July, has seen a recent surge in the polls, and tensions surrounding the race are high. The incident raises renewed questions about the sufficiency of security measures for presidential candidates, especially in public or outdoor venues like golf courses.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw praised the Secret Service for their swift response, stating that they engaged the gunman after detecting the rifle barrel in the bushes. Bradshaw explained that because Trump is not currently in office, the security perimeter at the golf course was more limited than it would have been for a sitting president. Despite the potential for harm, Trump’s security team managed to neutralize the threat without any injuries to the candidate.
Fox News presenter Sean Hannity reported speaking with both Trump and Witkoff shortly after the incident. Both recounted hearing the sounds of gunfire, described as “pop pop, pop pop,” while playing on the fifth hole. Hannity further noted that the Secret Service immediately acted, shielding Trump from danger.
Bipartisan Response to the Incident
In the aftermath of the attack, bipartisan leaders expressed their relief at Trump’s safety. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that Trump conveyed his gratitude for his Secret Service detail, remarking, “These people are awesome.” In a statement released by the White House, President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris were briefed on the incident and expressed their relief that Trump was unharmed. Harris also condemned the violence, saying, “Violence has no place in America.”
The heightened security concerns reflect the intensity of this election season. Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, assured the public that Trump was in good spirits following the attempt on his life. However, the increased frequency of these attacks will likely put even more pressure on law enforcement to step up protection for all candidates as the election draws near.
