FBI Investigates Second Possible Attack on Trump After Secret Service Shooting

The FBI is investigating a possible second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in two months. The latest incident took place at Trump’s golf club in Palm Beach, Florida, where Secret Service agents fired at a man they suspected of trying to harm Trump.

According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, a Secret Service agent saw a man hiding in some bushes and spotted a rifle through the fence of the Trump International Golf Club on Sunday afternoon.

The agent fired at the suspect, and police later found an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera hidden in the area. Sheriff Bradshaw said Trump was on the golf course at the time, about 300 to 500 yards away, near his Mar-a-Lago home.

Some news outlets have named the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old from Hawaii, though police haven’t officially confirmed this. Routh reportedly tried to fight for Ukraine in the war against Russia.

The FBI said it is looking into what seems to be an attempted assassination of former president Trump. Trump later released a statement saying, “FEAR NOT! I am safe and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God!”

Political Tensions Ahead of Election

This suspected attempt on Trump’s life comes just weeks before he faces Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. According to polls, Harris is ahead of Trump by 2.1 percentage points.

After the incident, Harris expressed concern, saying, “I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt on former President Trump today. As we gather more information, I want to make it clear: I condemn political violence. We all must work to make sure this event doesn’t lead to more violence.”

If confirmed as an assassination attempt, this would be the second such attack on Trump this year. In July, Trump was shot in the ear while speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania. Despite being injured, Trump stood up after the shooting, raised his fist, and shouted, “Fight fight fight!” before being taken to the hospital.

Since the July attack, the Secret Service has been criticized for not doing enough to protect Trump. On Sunday, the agency said it had increased security after the Pennsylvania incident, noting that the “threat level is high.”

A witness to Sunday’s incident said they saw the suspect run out of the bushes, get into a car, and drive away. Police later stopped the vehicle and arrested the man, Sheriff Bradshaw confirmed.

Investigations and Political Reactions

The FBI, led by Special Agent Jeffrey Veltri in Miami, has sent bomb experts and investigators to the scene. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the state would also conduct its own investigation.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said state prosecutors are preparing charges and will request pre-trial detention for the suspect. He also mentioned that federal charges could still be filed.

Politicians from both parties have spoken about the incident. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago, thanking “God” for keeping Trump safe. “No leader in American history has faced more attacks and remained so strong and resilient. He is unstoppable,” Johnson said.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for the suspect to be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” stressing that political violence should not be tolerated.