Trump praises 'outstanding' law enforcement response after latest assassination attempt
Former President Donald Trump thanked the Secret Service and local law enforcement for an “outstanding” response to a second assassination attempt—this time at his golf course in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.
Local authorities said that Secret Service agents protecting Trump fired at a man pointing a rifle through a fence while the former president was golfing. At the scene, authorities found the rifle, a scope, a bag containing ceramic tile, and a GoPro camera.
The suspect, now identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, fled the scene in a vehicle but was detained shortly afterward. He is awaiting a federal court appearance, Florida’s state attorney previously told USA TODAY.
Following the incident, Trump took to his social media site, Truth Social, to praise law enforcement’s response.
“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes—it was certainly an interesting day!” Trump posted.
“Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE.”
“THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!” Trump concluded.
Trump’s praise after the second assassination attempt is in stark contrast to the overall response following the first attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The Secret Service came under fire after a gunman wounded Trump in the right ear, killed one attendee, and injured two others at a campaign rally on July 13. Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle resigned, with the agency pledging to increase security around Trump following the attempt.
That heightened presence around Trump may have saved the presidential candidate’s life on Sunday, experts previously told USA TODAY.
Despite the praise, Congress will still ask for a briefing from the Secret Service about Sunday’s security breach.
Members of a bipartisan House panel created to investigate the first assassination attempt released a statement saying the task force has requested a briefing with the Secret Service to learn “what happened and how security responded.”
“We are thankful that the former President was not harmed, but remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all of its forms,” they said. “The Task Force will share updates as we learn more.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump thanks Secret Service for stopping assassination attempt