Washington, September 16 (IANS) President Joe Biden has strongly condemned the attack on former US President Donald Trump. He has said that “there is no place for political violence or violence of any kind in our country.” He also praised the security officers deployed to help keep former President Trump safe during the shooting incident. Investigators have confirmed that there was an “attempt to assassinate” the Republican presidential candidate on Sunday.
“As I’ve said many times, there is no place in our country for political violence or violence of any kind, and I’ve directed my team to ensure that the Secret Service has all the resources, capabilities and protective measures necessary to ensure the former president’s continued safety,” Biden said after being briefed on the shooting at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
He said in a statement: “My team has briefed me on the possible assassination attempt on former President Trump today. A suspect is in custody, and I commend the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe. I am deeply relieved that the former President was unharmed. This incident remains actively investigated.”
In US media reports, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh is being accused of attacking former President Donald Trump. The attack took place in Florida when Trump was playing golf.
Routh is said to be a native of Hawaii, have worked as a laborer in North Carolina and have tried to recruit fighters in support of Ukraine against Russian aggression.
The FBI said it was investigating the incident as an “attempted murder.”
“The FBI is investigating an attempted assassination of former President Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida,” the agency said in a statement. Investigators found an AK-47 style rifle, two backpacks filled with ceramic tiles, and a GoPro camera that was left at the scene of the crime.
This is the second case of assassination attempt on Trump. The first happened on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Then he was shot in his right ear. The shooter was shot dead.
Sunday’s incident happened around 1:30 p.m. at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Investigators said Secret Service agents moving ahead of the former president to secure the area spotted a gun barrel in the bushes. The agent headed in that direction. It was not yet clear if the suspect fired shots. But he was about 350 to 500 yards behind.
According to investigators, a witness saw the suspect and took a picture of the car and registration plate. The suspect was taken into custody a short time later.
After this attack, Trump issued a statement to his supporters. He said, “I could hear gunfire, but before the rumors get out of control, I want to tell you that I am safe and sound!”
“Nothing can stop me. I will never surrender!”
In a separate statement, the White House said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been informed.
Harris said in the post that she was “glad” the former president was safe.
“I have been briefed on reports of shots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. There is no place for violence in America.”
CNN said President Trump was on the course and shots were fired at him.
US Secret Service personnel returned fire in that direction.
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