Federal authorities are investigating an incident at Donald Trump’s Florida golf membership on Sunday as an “tried assassination,” a possible second try on the previous president’s life in roughly two months.
Photographs have been fired close to Trump, who was unhurt, whereas he was {golfing} at Trump Worldwide Golf Membership in West Palm Seashore, Florida. The Related Press reported that Secret Service brokers noticed a person with a firearm close to Trump’s golf membership and opened hearth.
An AK-style firearm was found close to the golf course, the AP reported, and the suspect fled the scene.
Trump is “protected following gunshots in his neighborhood,” in keeping with Trump marketing campaign communications director Steven Cheung.
In an announcement, the FBI stated it’s “investigating what seems to be an tried assassination of former President Trump.” The incident befell at roughly 1:30 p.m., in keeping with Palm Seashore County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent within the common election, have been “briefed concerning the safety incident on the Trump Worldwide Golf Course, the place former President Trump was {golfing},” a White Home spokesperson stated in an announcement. “They’re relieved to know that he’s protected. They are going to be saved repeatedly up to date by their workforce.”
The Trump marketing campaign, which can also be headquartered in West Palm Seashore, is on lockdown, in keeping with an individual granted anonymity to debate the scenario. Trump Worldwide Golf Membership was additionally locked down following the incident.
The taking pictures occurred simply 64 days after Trump survived an assassination try whereas at an out of doors rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
A spokesperson for the Palm Seashore County Sheriff’s Workplace didn’t reply questions concerning the incident, however stated the sheriff will communicate to reporters later Sunday afternoon in West Palm Seashore.
Previous to this incident, folks near the previous president have privately expressed concern about his security whereas he’s on the golf course. Though his nation golf equipment in Florida and New Jersey are usually not open to the general public, among the boundaries of his programs are seen from the perimeter.
A suspect was apprehended shortly after he crossed the Palm Seashore County line on Interstate 95, in keeping with the Martin County Sheriff’s Workplace. In a submit on social media, the Martin County Sheriff’s Workplace stated deputies stopped a car believed to be related with the taking pictures incident after being alerted by Palm Seashore County authorities.
Fox Information Channel host Sean Hannity advised viewers on that community that he spoke with Trump after the incident, and the previous president advised him he was on the fifth gap of the golf course. Trump was {golfing} with Steve Witkoff, a donor and good friend of the previous president.
“They heard, ‘Pop-pop, pop-pop,’” Hannity stated. “Inside seconds, the Secret Service pounced on the president, lined him. You had snipers with tripods — they knew the course the pictures had been fired, they usually had eyes on the placement the pictures had been fired.”
Secret service brokers “whisked the president away” in an armored car, Hannity stated.
Hannity stated Trump confirmed that an AK-47 was discovered, and one particular person received right into a automotive after dropping the firearm. The previous president was then taken to the clubhouse, in keeping with Hannity, adopted by all of the others who have been on the golf course with him.
“I actually wished to complete the opening. I used to be even [par], and I had a birdie putt,” Trump joked afterward, in keeping with Hannity.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) stated in a submit on X he spoke with Trump and he “is in good spirits and he’s extra resolved than ever to save lots of our nation.”
Republican lawmakers and different allies of the previous president rapidly condemned political violence and expressed gratitude for Trump’s security.
“We can’t tolerate political violence in America,” Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn) wrote on X.
So, too, did not less than one Democrat. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a foe of the previous president who led the primary impeachment proceedings in opposition to him, wrote that this “insanity has received to cease. Violence shouldn’t be the reply to our political variations.”
Josh Gerstein contributed to this report.
