Vice President Kamala Harris has issued a statement following a shooting incident at former President Donald Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
According to Daily Mail Online, shots were fired while Trump was playing golf on Sunday afternoon, prompting an immediate response from his Secret Service detail.
The incident, which occurred around 2:00 p.m., marks the second apparent assassination attempt on the former President in less than two months. Harris, who is set to face Trump in the November presidential election, expressed relief that no one was harmed in the latest attempt on her rival's life.
Vice President Harris took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to address the situation. She confirmed that she had been briefed on the reports of gunshots fired near Trump's property in Florida.
Harris stated:
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.
Her statement underscores the gravity of the situation and reaffirms the administration's stance against political violence.
The Secret Service reportedly returned fire at the gunman, and a suspect was later apprehended. Law enforcement sources have confirmed that an AK-47 was recovered at the scene. The assailant was allegedly pointing the weapon towards the golf course before shots were fired.
Trump's campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, issued a brief statement confirming the former president's safety. The incident occurred at Trump's golf club, which is located just five miles from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach.
This latest security breach comes in the wake of heightened protective measures implemented after a previous assassination attempt on Trump. On July 13, during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was shot in the ear, an incident that left two people dead, including the shooter.
The proximity of these two events has raised concerns about the effectiveness of security protocols surrounding the former president. Investigations are ongoing to determine how a shooter was able to get within such close range of Trump in both instances.
The White House released a statement indicating that President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris had been briefed on the security incident. They expressed relief that Trump was unharmed and stated they would be kept updated on the situation.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, reported speaking with Trump shortly after the news broke. Graham praised Trump's resilience, stating that the former president was in good spirits and more determined than ever to "save our country."
In conclusion, the shooting incident at Trump's golf course has once again thrust the issue of political violence into the spotlight. Vice President Harris's swift response condemning the act reflects the gravity of the situation. As investigations continue, questions about security measures for high-profile political figures remain at the forefront. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions in American politics and the importance of safeguarding democratic processes against violent threats.