Former President Donald Trump is safe following what law enforcement has described as an “attempted assassination” involving a gunman armed with an AK-47 rifle near his Florida golf course. The incident occurred on Sunday, prompting an immediate response from Secret Service agents, who opened fire on the suspect before he fled the scene. According to sources, the FBI has launched an investigation into the event, which has sent shockwaves through both political and security circles.
Law enforcement officials report that the suspect, who was intercepted in a neighboring county, is now in custody. The apprehension follows a coordinated effort by multiple agencies after witnesses provided a crucial lead: the license plate number of the suspect’s vehicle. The car was later stopped by law enforcement on a major interstate, and the man was arrested without further violence.
A spokesperson for Trump’s campaign assured the public that the former president is unharmed. “President Trump is safe,” the spokesperson confirmed, adding that law enforcement is diligently working to investigate the motives behind the incident.
This close call comes roughly two months after Trump was grazed by a bullet during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he suffered a minor wound to his ear. This latest incident has further fueled discussions about the adequacy of security measures surrounding the former president, particularly given his continued political activities and the high-profile nature of his post-presidency.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw provided additional details on the encounter, stating that the gunman came within 300 to 500 yards of Trump before being spotted. Secret Service agents, realizing the potential threat, fired four to six shots at the suspect, who then dropped his weapon and fled the scene. Sheriff Bradshaw noted that it remains unclear whether the gunman had directly aimed at Trump during the confrontation.
Authorities discovered an AK-47-style rifle at the scene, along with two backpacks containing a GoPro camera and ceramic tiles, though the significance of these items is still under investigation. Sheriff Bradshaw explained that while security around Trump is robust, it is not on the same scale as it would be if he were still the sitting president. “If he was the president, we would have had the entire golf course surrounded. But because he’s not, security is more focused on certain areas deemed essential by the Secret Service,” he said. “I imagine that the next time he visits, security will be increased around the perimeter.”
The incident has reignited debates in Washington about the state of Secret Service operations. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a staunch Trump ally, expressed concerns about the agency’s current organizational structure. Following this second attempt on Trump’s life, Graham renewed his calls for the Secret Service to be placed back under the Department of the Treasury, arguing that it had better oversight and focus in its previous setup.
Meanwhile, sources close to Trump say the former president appeared to be in “good spirits” following the near-miss. One Republican who spoke to him reported that Trump was near the 5th hole of the Trump International Golf Course when he heard the sound of gunfire, describing it as “popping noises” nearby. Despite the chaos, Trump was reportedly calm and maintained his usual demeanor.
In neighboring Martin County, Sheriff Will Snyder revealed that his deputies played a critical role in capturing the suspect. After receiving a “Be on the lookout for” alert from Palm Beach authorities, one of his officers spotted a vehicle matching the description heading north on Interstate 95. Law enforcement quickly moved to force the vehicle to stop without incident. Snyder indicated that while the vehicle and suspect matched the description provided, authorities were still working to confirm whether they had apprehended the correct individual.
In the hours following the incident, Trump sent out a fundraising email to supporters, assuring them of his safety while highlighting the ongoing threats he faces. “There are people in this world who will stop at nothing to prevent us from succeeding,” Trump wrote. “But we will not be deterred.”
The White House also issued a statement in response to the alarming event. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on what was described as a “security incident” at the Trump International Golf Course. “The President and Vice President are relieved to know that former President Trump is safe. They will continue to receive updates as the investigation progresses,” the statement read.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about the motive behind the attack, the identity of the suspect, and whether there is any broader conspiracy involved. For now, however, Trump’s supporters and political allies are breathing a collective sigh of relief, knowing that the former president has once again escaped a potentially deadly situation..
But why trying to keep Trump away from being president?
