- Secret Service foils Trump assassination attempt
- Gunman spotted near Trump’s golf course
- Debate rises over Trump’s protection level
Donald Trump hailed the US Secret Service for foiling what the FBI described as an attempted assassination.
Agents discovered the alleged gunman, called Ryan Routh by US media, in the woods of Trump’s golf course in Florida on Sunday afternoon. The Republican presidential nominee was playing a few hundred meters away.
Agents fired fire on the subject, who fled and was eventually apprehended.
The Secret Service had a “good day” but questioned whether Trump was receiving adequate protection following another attempt on his life approximately two months ago.
That incident resulted in the resignation of the Secret Service director.
How did agents avert the Sunday attack?
Secret Service personnel noticed the gunman while sweeping the Trump International Golf Club golf course ahead of the former president, as is customary.
The barrel of a firearm was seen protruding through the bushes that flank the course. According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Trump was around 300-500 yards (275-460 meters) away from the gunman at the time.
It’s unknown if the gunman fired a shot.
According to the sheriff, an agent “immediately engaged” with the guy holding the firearm, who then ran. “The Secret Service did exactly what should have been done.”
After spotting the subject, agents fired several shots. He ran, abandoning his weapon and other belongings, and was subsequently discovered in his car after a witness supplied a photo of the vehicle to local law police.
Authorities caught him on Interstate 95, approximately 61 kilometers (38 miles) from Trump’s golf course, and US media named him as Ryan Routh.
Trump assured fans he was safe and well and thanked the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies for their “incredible work.”
Robert McDonald, a former senior member of the Secret Service, concurred that the agency had a “good day” despite Trump’s potential assailant coming pretty close to the former president.
Should Trump receive further protection?
Sheriff Bradshaw noted that Trump does not receive the same protection as a sitting president. “If he were, we would have surrounded this entire golf course,” he told me.
However, two former Secret Service agents stated that Trump requires more protection than most past presidents because he is running for president again.
“We have to re-evaluate,” Barry Donadio explained. “Should all of these contenders receive the same presidential protective package? That will have to be the answer.
McDonald concurred. He added the prospect of “copycat” attacks raised concerns: “Is someone going to get a little closer, is someone going to have another high-powered rifle, and will someone be able to inflict some serious damage?
Politicians from all parties felt the same, with New York Congressman Ritchie Torres, a Democrat, stating Trump needed “maximum protection.”
However, a Trump acquaintance warned that golfing may be dangerous. Chris Ruddy, CEO of conservative news source Newsmax, described the course as a “huge… sprawling area” requiring a “mini-army” to secure.
What occurred the first time?
Following another attempt on Trump’s life at a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this year, questions were raised about whether he needed a higher-level security team.
On July 13, Trump was shot in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman, also killed one person in the crowd and badly injured two others.
Anger at the Secret Service’s handling of the shooting prompted the retirement of US Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle. Ronald Rowe Jr., the acting director of the Secret Service, has temporarily replaced her.
The agency would face additional questions. It may claim that it needed more resources despite having more than it had eight weeks before.
What will happen now?
Trump’s allies and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris criticized the event.
The administration “will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission,” according to Harris.
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Members of a legislative task team investigating the attempted assassination in July have requested a briefing from the Secret Service this afternoon.
Meanwhile, both the FBI and the state of Florida have launched investigations.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that the people need to know the facts about the would-be assassin and how he managed to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP (Republican) nominee.
The golf course area is under lockdown, and there is a significant security presence outside Trump’s Mar-a-Lago mansion.
