Former President Donald Trump has blamed the rhetoric of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for a recent assassination attempt against him.
According to a New York Post report, Trump survived an assassination attempt at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024. The suspect, identified as Ryan Routh, 58, was apprehended after allegedly trying to shoot Trump with an AK-47 rifle.
In a statement to Fox News, Trump claimed that Routh was motivated by the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, suggesting that their words were causing him to be "shot at." The former president argued that he is the one who will "save the country," while accusing the current administration of destroying it "both from the inside and out."
This incident marks the second assassination attempt on Trump in recent months. The first occurred on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was grazed by a bullet during a rally. The proximity of these two events has raised concerns about the former president's security and the potential impact of political rhetoric on public safety.
Trump pointed out that the suspect, Ryan Routh, used language similar to that of Biden and Harris when discussing threats to democracy. The former president specifically referenced Harris's remarks during a recent ABC News presidential debate, where she claimed that Trump left the country with "the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War."
The incident has reignited debates about the responsibility of political leaders in their public statements and the potential consequences of inflammatory rhetoric.
Ryan Wesley Routh, the alleged would-be assassin, was discovered hiding in bushes near Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach. Authorities found a tactical rifle, a scope, and a GoPro camera after Routh fled the scene. He was later arrested on I-95 shortly after the incident.
According to reports, Routh has a history of supporting progressive causes online and has made multiple donations to Democratic candidates since 2019. However, he also claimed in 2020 to be a disillusioned former Trump supporter who had backed the populist conservative in 2016.
The suspect's social media activity included posts about democracy being "on the ballot," echoing language used by both Biden and Harris in their campaigns.
Both President Biden and Vice President Harris have condemned the assassination attempt on Trump. Biden addressed the incident during a speech to historically black college leaders in Philadelphia, stating:
I commend the Secret Service for the expert handling of the situation. America has suffered too many times the tragedy of an assassin's bullet. It solves nothing. It just tears the country apart. We must do everything we can to prevent it and never give it any oxygen.
Despite their condemnation of the attack, spokespeople for Biden and Harris have not commented on Trump's accusations regarding their rhetoric influencing the suspect's actions.
The incident has raised questions about the level of security provided to former presidents, especially those who are active political figures. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw noted that Trump's security detail was lighter because he is not a sitting president, despite the previous attempt on his life in July. This second assassination attempt has led to increased demands for Trump to receive the same level of protection as the current president.
In conclusion, the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has sparked renewed debates about political rhetoric, security for former presidents, and the state of American democracy. As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of current political divisions in the United States. In the coming weeks, further discussions will likely be held on balancing free speech with responsible political discourse and ensuring the safety of public figures.
