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President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both addressed the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Sunday (September 15).
Biden, who ended his re-election campaign eight days after the first assassination on Trump, praised law enforcement for their response during what he said "appears to be an attempted assassination" of Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, at his West Palm Beach golf course.
"I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe," Biden said after being briefed on the incident via Axios.
"I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened," he added. "As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President's continued safety."
Harris, who appeared opposite Trump as the Democratic presidential nominee in a debate five days prior, also shared a statement obtained by the Associated Press on Sunday.
"I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today," Harris said. "As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance. As President Biden said, our Administration will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission."
The shooter was identified as Ryan Routh, 58, who is reported to have frequently posted about politics online, donated to Democratic candidates and causes since 2019, and had a Biden-Harris bumper sticker on the back of a pickup truck parked at his Kaaawa, Hawaii, home, the New York Post reported on Sunday. Trump broke his silence after being targeted in an assassination attempt for the second time in two months in a post shared on his Truth Social account late Sunday night.
"I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes - It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social account late Sunday night.
A motive for the shooting hasn't been determined. A Secret Service agent reportedly opened fire on a man spotted with an AK-47 assault rifle while Trump was playing golf, which caused the suspect to flee. The suspect was detained by the West Palm Beach Sheriff's Office after a traffic stop on I-95.
Trump confirmed that "there were gunshots in my vicinity" but noted that he was "SAFE AND WELL" in a campaign alert to his supporters on Sunday. The incident took place two months after Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt during his rally in Pennsylvania.
Trump's right ear was grazed during the shooting and he was seen yelling "fight" to his supporters while being evacuated from the rally by Secret Service members. One spectator, identified as Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed during the incident while two others, David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, were initially critically wounded but later upgraded to stable condition.
The shooter, Thomas Crooks, was taken out by Secret Service agents within seconds from opening fire, though also reported to be on officials' radar as a suspicious person more than 90 minutes before opening fire. Trump officially accepted the Republican presidential nomination during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18.