WEST PALM BEACH: Former US president Donald Trump on Monday blamed his election rival Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden after he was targeted in a second apparent assassination attempt on Sunday, asserting that their “rhetoric” about him endangering democracy is responsible for the threats against his life.
Trump’s comments came after 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested on Sunday for allegedly planning to shoot the former president while he was on the golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Routh, armed with an assault-style rifle, was apprehended by Secret Service agents after a brief standoff. Despite being shot at, Routh surrendered peacefully without incident.
After the attack, Trump quickly politicized the incident, accusing Biden and Harris of inciting violence through their criticisms. “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country,” Trump told Fox News Digital, referring to the frequent assertions by Biden and Harris that he poses a threat to democracy.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an attempted assassination, and Routh appeared in court on Monday to face charges of illegal firearms possession. He remained composed and did not speak during the proceedings, only responding with “yes” to the judge’s questions.
The alleged attack comes two months after a similar incident at a rally in Pennsylvania, where Trump was grazed by a bullet and a supporter was killed. Following that attack, the Secret Service faced criticism for its handling of the situation, which was exacerbated by Routh’s proximity to Trump at the golf course due to a lack of adequate security coverage.
Biden, who commented on the incident from the White House, expressed relief that Trump was unharmed. “Thank God the president is OK,” Biden said, emphasizing the need for increased support for the Secret Service. He also called on Congress to address the agency’s needs to improve its protective measures.
Routh, who has a lengthy criminal record and is known for his involvement in Ukrainian causes, claimed to have traveled to Ukraine to volunteer and recruit foreign fighters against Russia’s invasion. However, there is no evidence he participated in combat or joined the Ukrainian military.
Routh’s social media activity reveals a range of political affiliations, but he had no known connections to any formal Ukrainian military units.
The Rhetoric, Lies, as exemplified by the false statements made by Comrade Kamala Harris during the rigged and highly partisan ABC Debate, and all of the ridiculous lawsuits specifically designed to inflict damage on Joe’s, then Kamala’s, Political Opponent, ME, has taken…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 16, 2024
Trump’s response to the incident included a call for campaign donations, using the attack to rally his supporters. His social media posts included pleas for funds, urging his base to “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!!!!!” and “Donate Today!” The assassination attempt has further fueled the already tense atmosphere as the US presidential election approaches.
In Springfield, Ohio, where Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance have recently stirred controversy with their comments about the local Haitian immigrant community, public institutions have been threatened, leading to repeated closures.
This local unrest reflects broader concerns that Trump might once again refuse to concede if he loses the upcoming election to Harris, echoing the chaos of January 6, 2021.
