On Sunday, former U.S. President Donald Trump was rushed to safety after an apparent assassination attempt at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump accused his political rivals, Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, of inciting violence against him through their rhetoric. He claimed their comments about him being a threat to democracy were to blame for the second assassination attempt in recent months.
Trump’s remarks came after a man, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested near Trump’s golf course with an assault-style rifle. U.S. Secret Service agents fired at the suspect, who later surrendered without a struggle. Routh, now facing charges of illegal firearms possession, appeared in court on Monday.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an attempted assassination, with cell phone records suggesting Routh spent nearly 12 hours near the golf course before being apprehended.
This latest attempt follows a previous incident in July when Trump was grazed by a bullet during a rally in Pennsylvania, where a supporter was killed before the gunman was shot by security.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Trump, 78, said, “The rhetoric from Biden and Harris is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country,” referring to frequent criticisms labeling him a threat to democracy due to his refusal to concede defeat in 2020.
President Biden and Vice President Harris condemned the assassination attempt, with Biden stating, “I’ve always condemned political violence. I always will.” At the White House, Biden expressed relief over Trump’s safety but called for Congress to provide more support to the Secret Service.
The incident has escalated tensions in the final weeks leading up to the November 5 presidential election. Trump used the opportunity to rally his supporters, urging them to “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT” and to donate to his campaign.
