Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle breathed a sigh of relief that former President Donald Trump was safe after a second apparent assassination attempt in as many months — as the bipartisan task force investigating the July attack said it’s “deeply concerned about political violence.”
Questions over Trump’s security swirled Sunday after an alleged gunman with an AK-47-style rifle was spotted by Secret Service 300 to 500 yards away from Trump as he hit the links at his resort in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Law enforcement told the Post the suspect in the attempted assassination is Ryan Routh, 58.
“The Task Force is monitoring this attempted assassination of former President Trump in West Palm Beach this afternoon,” Chairman Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Ranking Member Jason Crow (D-Colo.) said in a joint statement.
“We have requested a briefing with the U.S. Secret Service about what happened and how security responded. We are thankful that the former President was not harmed, but remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all of its forms.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he spent some time with Trump following the scary ordeal.
Here’s what we know about the assassination attempt on Trump in Florida:
“No leader in American history has endured more attacks and remained so strong and resilient. He is unstoppable,” Johnson wrote on X.
The suspect, identified by sources as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, fled the golf course after the Secret Service agent opened fire. He was arrested in his car on I-95 a short time later.
The former president met with Speaker Johnson and his wife, Kelly, after the assassination attempt. X/SpeakerJohnson
A photo provided by law enforcement shows the suspect’s backpack, firearm and other equipment.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw later told reporters that because Trump is not the sitting president, the level of security he received was “limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible.”
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Bradshaw noted that if Trump were in office, “we would have had this entire golf course surrounded.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise blasted that revelation.
“Thank God President Trump is safe. I can’t believe I’m having to say this once again this election cycle: there is absolutely no place for violence in politics. Grateful for all law enforcement involved who stopped what could’ve been a catastrophe,” Scalise (R-La.) posted on X.
“Authorities just acknowledged if President Trump was president, they’d do more to protect him. This must change. There have been TWO attempts on Trump’s life. Secret Service must up their level of protection of him to their FULL capabilities—including expanding the perimeter.”
House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) lauded the law enforcement that kept Trump safe but questioned how the suspect was able to get so close.
“I am grateful to hear that President Trump is safe following today’s reported assassination attempt in Florida. I join in thanks for our hardworking law enforcement officers working to keep President Trump, his family, and his team safe,” she said in a statement.
“However, we must ask ourselves how an assassin was allowed to get this close to President Trump again? There continues to be a lack of answers for the horrific assassination attempt in Pennsylvania and we expect there to be a clear explanation of what happened today in Florida.”
Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) echoed Scalise.
“I’m relieved President Trump and his family are safe, but concerned this is the second attempt on his life in the last few months,” Graves said.
“There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. There’s no excuse for President Trump to have anything less than a FULL security detail now.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) chimed in, “Now, it is imperative that we move Secret Service out from under the Department of Homeland Security and back to the Treasury Department, where they had more focus. Also, it is time to increase resources.”
Leading Democrats, meanwhile, also weighed in.
“Political violence has no place in a democratic society,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) wrote on X.
Trump’s November rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, was among the first to react to the security incident.
A breakdown of where law enforcement managed to catch up to the suspect.
“I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America,” Harris wrote on X.
“Gwen and I are glad to hear that Donald Trump is safe. Violence has no place in our country. It’s not who we are as a nation,” her running mate Tim Walz (D) later stressed.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) added, “I was just briefed by the Acting Director of the Secret Service. I applaud the Secret Service for their quick response to ensure former President Trump’s safety. There is no place in this country for political violence of any kind. The perpetrator must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service, FBI and Beach County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the situation. The assassination attempt on Trump on July 13 also remains under investigation. The shooter in the attack was killed by the Secret Service.
After the first attempt on Trump’s life at a rally in Butler, Pa., the Secret Service increased Trump’s protective detail — and also offered protection to then-independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayokas said in July.
“I cannot discuss specifics of the protection or the enhancements made, as they involve sensitive tactics and procedures,” the DHS chief said at the time. “I can say, however, that personnel and other protective resources, technology, and capabilities have been added.”
Following the deadly rally shooting, the agency also demanded that Trump hold all future outdoor campaign events from behind bulletproof glass.
Trump confirmed he was fine following the terrifying ordeal.
Lawmakers praised law enforcement but stressed that there are still some important questions that need to be answered. AP
“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,” Trump said in a statement.
“I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me.”
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