TRUMP SAFE AFTER SECRET SERVICE FIRES AT GUNMAN ON FLORIDA GOLF COURSE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Accused gunman Ryan Routh, via Facebook

September 16, 2024 (Palm Beach, Florida) – While former President Donald Trump was playing golf at his golf courses in Palm Beach, Florida yesterday afternoon, Secret Service agents posted a few holes away spotted a man pointing a rifle through shrubbery at the perimeter of the course.  An agent opened fire and the man fled, dropping a semi-automatic rifle and backpack. He was later apprehended.

Trump, the Republican nominee in the November presidential election, is safe. On his media outlet, he praised the Secret Service and law enforcement, writing,”THE JOB WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING.”  In a later fundraising email, he pledged, “Nothing will slow me down.”

A witness took a photo of the would-be assassin’s vehicle, enabling authorities to arrest Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, a short time later. Routh was charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon and possessing a weapon without a serial number. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Routh was previously convicted of possessing a machine gun in 2022, among other prior offenses.  His social media posts indicate he voted for Trump in 2016 but came to regret that choice, criticizing Trump on foreign policy, particularly Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  Routh has stated that he intended to volunteer to fight for Ukraine.

On Twitter (now X), he wrote, “I and the world hoped that president Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointment and it seems you are getting worse and devolving. I will be glad when you gone.”

Trump’s political opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, said she is “thankful” that Trump was not harmed, adding, “I condemn political violence.” 

President Joe Biden said there is “no place for political violence” in our nation. “I have directed my team to continue to ensure that the Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s safety.”

This was the second apparent assassination attempt on Trump’s life. On July 13, while Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman on a nearby rooftop opened fire. The shots killed a Trump supporter,  critically injured two others, and nicked the former President’s ear as Trump turned his head, narrowly missing a potentially lethal strike. The Secret Service killed the gunman as agents whisked Trump offstage.

That incident drew a Congressional inquiry and sharp criticism of Secret Service procedures for failing to secure the rooftop.  The Secret Service director, Kimberly Cheatle, has since resigned.  Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe has  said he plans to travel to Florida following the latest attempt on Trump’s life.