Washington, September 16 President Joe Biden has strongly condemned the attack on former US President Donald Trump. He has said that “there is no place for political violence or violence of any kind in our country.” He also praised the security officials for helping keep former President Trump safe during the shooting incident. Investigators have confirmed that there was an “attempt to assassinate” the Republican presidential candidate on Sunday.
“As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or violence of any kind in our country, and I have directed my team to ensure that the Secret Service has all the resources, capabilities and protective measures necessary to ensure the continued safety of the former president,” Biden said after being informed about the shooting at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
He said in a statement: “My team has informed me that federal law enforcement is investigating a possible assassination attempt on former President Trump today. A suspect is in custody, and I commend the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former president and those around him safe. I am very relieved that the former president was unharmed. This incident is under active investigation.”
US media reports have accused 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh of attacking former President Donald Trump. The attack took place in Florida when Trump was playing golf.
Routh is said to be a resident of Hawaii, worked as a laborer in North Carolina, and tried to recruit fighters in support of Ukraine against Russian invasions.
The FBI said it was investigating the incident as an “attempted assassination.”
“The FBI is investigating an attempted assassination of former President Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida,” the agency said in a statement. Investigators found an AK-47 style rifle, two backpacks filled with ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera that was left at the scene of the crime.
This is the second assassination attempt on Trump. The first took place on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was then shot in the right ear. The shooter was killed.
Sunday’s incident took place at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach around 1:30 pm. Investigators said Secret Service agents moving ahead of the former president to secure the area saw a gun barrel in the bushes. The agent went in that direction. It was not yet clear whether the suspect fired the shot or not. But he was about 350 to 500 yards behind.
According to investigators, an eyewitness saw the suspect, took a picture of the car and registration plate. The suspect was taken into custody shortly after.
After the attack, Trump issued a statement to supporters. He said, “I could hear gunfire, but before the rumors get out of control, I want to tell you that I am safe and sound!”
“No one can stop me. I will never surrender!”
The White House said in a separate statement that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been informed about this.
Harris said in a post that she is “glad” that the former president is safe.
“I have been briefed on reports of gunfire near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad that he is safe. There is no place for violence in America.”
CNN said that President Trump was on the course and shots were fired at him.
US Secret Service personnel fired back in that direction.
