5 Things to Know About the Apparent Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump

 

Former President Donald Trump recently survived an apparent assassination attempt while golfing near his Florida club. This incident, the second such attempt on his life in two months, has added more tension to an already volatile election cycle. The following are five key points about the incident and where the investigation currently stands.

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1. The Suspect: Ryan Wesley Routh

The suspect in the assassination attempt, Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old North Carolina native, is facing charges related to firearms possession. Routh had moved to Kaaawa, Hawaii, in 2018 and operated a shed-building company with his son. He also held fervent political views, including strong support for Ukraine's fight against Russia, often posting about the war and even traveling to Kyiv. However, his political alignment was inconsistent; despite initially supporting Trump in 2020, he later expressed support for Biden and Kamala Harris.

Routh’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions dating back to 1997. He had also been convicted of possessing a weapon of mass destruction in 2002 and had numerous run-ins with the law before this recent incident.

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2. How the Incident Unfolded

The attempt on Trump’s life occurred while he was playing golf at his West Palm Beach club. A firearm was spotted by Secret Service agents, poking out of shrubbery 400-500 yards away. The suspect, armed with a rifle, had been lying in wait for nearly 12 hours. Fortunately, Routh did not have a line of sight to Trump, and a Secret Service agent opened fire, forcing Routh to flee. He was later apprehended after a short pursuit. The authorities recovered a rifle, food, and a digital camera from the scene.

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3. Trump's Reaction

Trump reassured the public, stating, “I AM SAFE AND WELL!” He praised the Secret Service for their swift action but later criticized President Biden and Vice President Harris, claiming their rhetoric had incited violence against him. Trump posted on social media that the left's political discourse was contributing to increased political violence. However, despite his claims, there is no evidence linking Biden or Harris to the assassination attempt.

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4. Biden and Harris Respond

President Biden and Vice President Harris both condemned the violence but avoided making the incident political. Harris expressed relief that Trump was safe and emphasized that violence has no place in America. Biden, meanwhile, focused on the need for increased resources for the Secret Service, noting that America has experienced too many tragedies at the hands of assassins. He called for Congress to act to prevent such incidents in the future.

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5. What Happens Next?

Trump has not announced any changes to his campaign schedule following the incident. However, the investigation is ongoing, and a bipartisan congressional task force is reviewing both this and the previous assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. The political landscape remains charged, as the 2024 election campaign moves forward amid concerns over escalating political violence.