Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday while golfing near his Florida club. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, camped outside the golf course with a rifle before being stopped by a Secret Service agent. The incident is the second attack on Trump’s life in two months, adding to the election cycle’s turmoil.
Routh, 58, faces charges of possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction. He had previously posted on social media about the war in Ukraine and had visited the country in support of fighting against the Russian invasion. Routh’s political affiliations appear to have shifted over the years, expressing support for Trump, Democratic candidates, and even calling out Biden and Harris after the Pennsylvania attempt.
Authorities spotted Routh with a rifle on the golf course, prompting a Secret Service agent to fire at him. Routh fled but was later arrested in a neighboring county. Trump praised the Secret Service for protecting him and later blamed Biden and Harris for inspiring the assassination attempt. Biden and Harris condemned the violence and called for additional resources for the Secret Service.
Despite the incident, Trump has not announced any changes to his schedule and is continuing with his planned activities. The leaders of a bipartisan task force investigating the Pennsylvania shooting have requested a briefing by the Secret Service. The incident underscores the ongoing political violence and its impact on the presidential race.
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