Lawmakers from both parties breathed a sigh of relief that former President Donald Trump was safe after the second assassination attempt in as many months, with the bipartisan task force investigating the July attack saying it was “deeply concerned about political violence.”
Questions about President Trump's security continued to swirl on Sunday after the Secret Service spotted an alleged gunman with an AK-47-style rifle about 300 to 500 yards away from the president as he was playing golf at a resort in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“The Task Force is monitoring the attempted assassination of former President Trump that occurred this afternoon in West Palm Beach,” task force Chairman Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Ranking Committee Member Jason Crow (D-CO) said in a joint statement.
“We have requested a report from the U.S. Secret Service on what happened and how security forces responded. We are grateful that the former president was not harmed, but we remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn all forms of violence.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he spent some time with President Trump after the horrific incident.
We bring you the latest on the thwarted assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Florida.
“No leader in American history has ever withstood so many attacks and remained so strong and resilient. He is unstoppable,” Johnson said. I wrote it to X.
Sources said suspect Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, fled the golf course after Secret Service agents opened fire and was arrested in his vehicle on Interstate 95 a short time later.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw later told reporters that because Trump is not a sitting president, the level of security he received was “limited to what the Secret Service deemed feasible.”
Bradshaw noted that if Trump were president, “he would have this entire golf course under siege.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise slammed the revelations.
“I am glad President Trump is safe. I can't believe I have to say this again during this election. Violence has no place in politics. I thank all the law enforcement officers who prevented what could have been a catastrophe,” Scalise (R-Louisiana) said. Post to X.
“Officials acknowledged that if Trump were president, they would do more to protect him. This must change. There have been two attempts on President Trump's life. The Secret Service must increase its level of protection for him to the maximum extent possible, including expanding the perimeter.”
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik of New York praised police for keeping Trump safe but questioned how the suspect was able to get so close.
“I am pleased to hear that President Trump is safe following the assassination attempt reported today in Florida. I want to express my gratitude to the law enforcement officers who work so hard to keep President Trump, his family and his team safe,” she said in a statement.
“But we must ask ourselves why an assassin was once again able to get so close to President Trump. While we still do not have answers for the horrific assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, we are hopeful that today there will be a clear explanation for what happened in Florida.”
Rep. Sam Graves (R-Missouri) echoed Scalise's sentiments.
“We are relieved that President Trump and his family are safe, but we are concerned that this is the second assassination attempt in recent months,” Graves said.
“This kind of violence has no place in America, and there is no excuse for President Trump not to now have a full security presence.”
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) also said, “Now is the time to urgently move the Secret Service out of Homeland Security and return it to its greater focus at the Treasury Department. It is also time to provide increased resources.”
Meanwhile, prominent Democratic Party figures also spoke out.
“Political violence has no place in a democratic society.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) wrote to X..
Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump's November rival, was one of the first to react to the security incident.
“I received reports of gunfire near former President Trump and his property in Florida and am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America,” Harris wrote on X.
“Gwen and I are happy to hear that Donald Trump is safe. Violence has no place in this country. That is not who our country is,” her running mate, Tim Walz (Democrat), later emphasized.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) added, “I have received a report from the Acting Director of the Secret Service and I commend the Secret Service for their swift response to ensure former President Trump's safety. Political violence of any kind has no place in our country. Perpetrators must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service, the FBI and the Beach County Sheriff's Office, are investigating the incident, as well as the attempted assassination of President Trump on July 13, in which the gunman was shot and killed by Secret Service agents.
President Trump confirmed that he was OK following the horrific incident.
“Gunshots were heard near me, but before the rumors get out of control, I want you to hear this first: I am safe and well! Nothing can slow me down,” Trump said in a statement.
“I will never give in! I will always love you for supporting me.”
