Prominent US Christian leaders are calling for prayer, fasting and increased Secret Service security following a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump over the weekend. Christian PostTrump escaped the assassination attempt unharmed after Secret Service agents opened fire on a man, later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, who attempted to shoot the former president while he was playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. Although he initially fled, witnesses identified the license plate number of Routh's getaway car and he was later arrested in Martin County, Florida.
The incident came two months after the first assassination attempt on a Republican presidential candidate, when a bullet grazed Trump's ear as he was speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“It's early evening here in Rome and the news is reporting a shooting near @realDonaldTrump in Florida,” said the Rev. Franklin Graham, CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Written X Sunday afternoon.
“Although not many details are yet available, this incident is a strong reminder that we need to pray for this man as we try to determine exactly what happened,” Graham added.
It's evening where I am in Rome, and the news is reporting that there has been a shooting at the president's home. Donald TrumpIt happened near Florida. Details are still unclear, but as we try to figure out exactly what happened, this is a strong reminder that we need to pray…
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) September 15, 2024
The Rev. Johnny Moore, president of the Christian Leadership Conference and twice appointed to the Commission on International Religious Freedom, also commented on the assassination attempt: thread X on Sunday: “Second assassination attempt on President @realDonaldTrump. Oh my goodness! Glad he's safe!”
He praised the Secret Service as “heroes,” adding, “Secret Service agents found the gun, acted quickly, and saved former President Trump's life today. They are always ready to sacrifice their own lives!” Moore also argued, “The American people need to demand an explanation!”
“The shooter was stopped, but how was he able to get so close to President Trump twice,” he questioned. “The shooter was quickly apprehended as he fled down the highway, but he also made it to his getaway car! No American, Democrat or Republican, should ever hear a story like this again. All Americans should be outraged.”
The Secret Service are our heroes, especially today! Secret Service agents found the gun, acted quickly, and today saved former President Trump's life. They are always ready to sacrifice their own lives! They are heroes! At the same time, Americans need to hold them to account! The shooter was stopped and…
— Pastor Johnny Moore Nani (@JohnnieM) September 15, 2024
in Follow-up PostMoore called on President Joe Biden to “immediately grant former President Donald Trump the same level of protection that he enjoys as a sitting president of the United States.”
His comments were in response to Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw suggesting that if he were a sitting president, “we would have this entire golf course surrounded.” He also noted that “because he is not a sitting president, security is limited to areas that the Secret Service deems feasible.”
I am calling president @JoeBiden Immediately order similar protections for former presidents Donald Trump The benefits to him as the sitting president of the United States. No more risk. No more bureaucratic details. If such action is somehow necessary…
— Pastor Johnny Moore Nani (@JohnnieM) September 15, 2024
Moore said that if Congress needs to act to provide additional Secret Service protection for Trump, “that action should happen tomorrow and the vote should be unanimous.” He ended his statement by saying that “every former president” deserves Secret Service protection, and exclaimed, “This should never happen again.”
Worship artist and activist Shawn Feucht called for a “Fast for America” following the second assassination attempt.
“It's cheap to talk, it's cheap to go online … it's cheap to spew rhetoric, it's cheap to post Bible verses,” said Feucht, who is known for hosting “Let Us Worship” gatherings amid restrictions on worship services implemented during the COVID-19 lockdown. Instagram Sunday.
“We need to fast and pray,” he stressed. “It is my sincere desire to gather people from all over the world to fast and pray with me over the next three days.”
in X Post Feucht on Sunday claimed that Trump only survived the assassination attempt because of “God's protection.”
“Trump's life was saved when a security guard saw the gun through the bushes and a chain link fence!” he said.
Trump's life was saved by one security guard who spotted a gun through the bushes and a chain link fence!!
God's divine protection again 👼🏼🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/mSjWYsZrVA
— Sean Feucht (@seanfeucht) September 15, 2024
Gregg RolieThe senior pastor of California-based Harvest Church also spoke out on the issue Monday morning.
“Donald Trump has literally averted another crisis! I truly believe God extended a protective hand to our former president and I am so grateful,” he said. post About X.
Rowley also called on Americans to take action.
“Incendiary rhetoric must be dialed back and civility must be restored to public debate. Most importantly, let us turn America back to God. Let us also pray that the worthy man be placed in the Oval Office and that God bless all who hold elected office, whether we voted for them or not.”
Donald Trump has, once again, literally averted a crisis. I truly believe God extended a protective hand to our former president, and for that I am so grateful.
Incendiary political rhetoric needs to be toned down and civility needs to be restored in the public square…
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) September 16, 2024
The statement said: Christian PostSamuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, said the second assassination attempt on Trump reflected “a pivotal moment in our nation's history.”
“This heinous act is not just an attack on a human being, but on the very values that define our democracy and underpin the freedoms we cherish as Americans. Now, more than ever, we must come together to defend the freedoms and unity for which so many have sacrificed. In this critical time, we pray for peace, unity and healing across our nation.”
He also offered a prayer that “together we can overcome our differences and join hands with our fellow Americans to stand up against the forces of evil that seek to destroy this great nation.”
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Win McNamee/Staff
